SCOTLAND

Devolution

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the First Minister on the preparation of legislative proposals for a referendum on independence for Scotland.

David Cairns: There have been no such discussions with the First Minister.

Referendums

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received representations on the holding of a referendum in Scotland on independence from the United Kingdom.

David Cairns: I have received no such representations.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Leader of the House 
	(1)  what files are held by the her Office on  (a) the Abortion (Amendment) Bill of Sessions (i) 1979-80, (ii) 1987-88 and (iii) 1989-90,  (b) the Unborn Children (Protection) Bills of Sessions (A) 1984-85, (B) 1985-86 and (C) 1987-88 and  (c) the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill of Session 1989-90; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  when she plans to answer question 177571 tabled by the hon. Member for Southend, West on 7 January 2008, on departmental bill files; what the reason is for the time taken to respond; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Goodman: I apologise to the hon. Member. This question was overlooked.
	The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons does not hold any files, policy or otherwise, on individual pieces of legislation.

Safety Belts: Legislation

David Amess: To ask the Leader of the House what files are held by her Department on the Road Traffic (Seat Belts) Bill of Sessions  (a) 1978-79,  (b) 1979-80 and  (c) 1980-81; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Goodman: The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons does not hold any files, policy or otherwise, on individual pieces of legislation.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Domestic Violence: Pregnant Women

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pregnant women in Northern Ireland were physically assaulted by a current or former partner resulting in the death of the unborn child in each of the last 10 years.

Paul Goggins: The Chief Constable has provided the following answer:
	It is not possible to answer this question, as the information requested is not available in the requested format.

Food

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much food waste his Department generated in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: Where we provide catering services, my Department strives to ensure that purchases match demand and that where possible only peelings and cuttings are disposed of. Figures on the amount of material are not available. Food waste is a key priority for the Government: by reducing food waste we should stand to make significant environmental and economic gains.

Police Service of Northern Ireland: Secondment

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many serving members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland were seconded to police forces in Great Britain in each of the last 10 years, broken down by  (a) length of secondment and  (b) rank of officer.

Paul Goggins: The Chief Constable has provided the following information.
	
		
			   Length of secondment  Rank 
			  Secondment commenced  Year  Month  Day  Superintendent  Chief Inspector  Inspector  Constable 
			 1998 3 8 2 1 — — — 
			 2000 0 3 0 — — 1 — 
			 2001 0 2 4 — — 1 — 
			  0 2 5 — — 1 — 
			  0 2 7 — — 1 — 
			  0 2 8 1 — — — 
			  0 2 30 — — 1 — 
			  0 2 9 — — — 1 
			  0 4 7 — — 1 — 
			 2005 0 5 3 — 1 — — 
			 2006 0 1 24 1 — — — 
			 2007 0 6 29 — — — 1 
			 Total3 1 6 2

Smoking

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many smoking shelters were built at each of his Department's London buildings in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office's premises at 11 Millbank are smoke-free. The Northern Ireland Office has not constructed any smoking shelters.

TRANSPORT

Aviation

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the written ministerial statement on 27 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 11-16WS, on planning reform, when she plans to publish a national policy statement on aviation.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government's policy for national policy statements was set out in the written ministerial statement referred to in the question. Further decisions will be made following passage of the Planning Bill through Parliament.

Aviation: Costs

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 21 April 2008,  Official Report, column 1430W, on Aviation: Costs, if she will break down the figures for each year by  (a) domestic and  (b) international flights.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 12 May 2008
	The following table shows the average UK one-way air fare, including taxes and charges, covering domestic and international flights.
	
		
			  Average UK one-way air fares, 1997 prices 
			   All  International  Domestic 
			 1997 203 215 143 
			 1998 192 201 145 
			 1999 163 167 143 
			 2000 158 161 141 
			 2001. 143 144 135 
			 2002 129 131 117 
			 2003 112 112 112 
			 2004 107 107 105 
			 2005 101 101 104 
			 2006 103 104 102 
			  Notes:  1. Approximately three quarters of "international" fares are for short haul flights.  2. About half of domestic passengers are travelling for business purposes.  3. "Fare" includes all taxes and charges.  4. Covers domestic and international scheduled flights, but excludes transfer and charter passengers.  5. Domestic component based on a sample of routes where sufficient data available.   Source:  DfT analysis of CAA and IPS data.

Light Dues: Northern Ireland

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department has taken on the payment of light dues by the County Down fishing fleet; and whether it has sought the assistance of the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority in such matters.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government are sympathetic to the concerns of the Northern Ireland fishing industry about the financial state of their industry and their need to reduce costs where they can.
	Light dues are a charge levied on commercial shipping to fund the activities of the general lighthouse authorities and the provision of aids to navigation. We continue to believe that such aids should be paid for by those that use them and not the general taxpayer. We therefore have no plans to abolish light dues levied on the fishing industry and have not sought advice from the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority on this matter.

Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of vehicles registered at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to pay road tax was registered before 2001.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of vehicles, to the nearest 1,000, that were licensed at the end of 2007 and not exempt from vehicle excise duty was 31,914,000. Of those, 13,093,000 vehicles, 41 per cent, were first registered prior to 2001.

Official Cars

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will ensure that Ministers are able to choose a British-built vehicle as their ministerial car.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 10 March 2008,  Official Report, column 8W, given to the hon. Member for Houghton and Washington, East (Mr. Kemp).

Railways: Finance

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much of the £15 billion Government funding for rail announced in July 2007 has been allocated.

Tom Harris: holding answer 2 June 2008
	The White Paper "Delivering a Sustainable Railway" (Cmd 7176) published in July 2007 set out the public funds available to secure delivery of the railway in England and Wales, as specified in the White Paper, during the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2014.
	How these funds are specifically allocated to programmes will be determined as a consequence of the Office of Rail Regulation's Access Charges Review which is planned to conclude later this year.

Railways: Finance

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether additional funding has been allocated to rail transport since the 2007 Rail White Paper.

Tom Harris: holding answer 2 June 2008
	The White Paper "Delivering a Sustainable Railway" (Cmd 7176) published in July 2007 set out the public funds available to secure delivery of the railway in England and Wales, as specified in the White Paper, during the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2014.
	The Department for Transport budget settlement in the comprehensive spending review was consistent with the statement of funds set out in the White Paper. Planned funding for the railway in England and Wales remains as set out in the White Paper.

Railways: Finance

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the White Paper "Delivering a Sustainable Railway", Cm 7176, how much of the £15 billion in overall Government support for the railway between 2009 and 2014 has been allocated, broken down by scheme; and how much is yet to be allocated.

Tom Harris: holding answer 4 June 2008
	The White Paper 'Delivering a Sustainable Railway' (Cmd 7176) published in July 2007 set out the public funds available to secure delivery of the railway in England and Wales, as specified in the White Paper, during the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2014.
	How these funds are specifically allocated to programmes will be determined as a consequence of the Office of Rail Regulation's access charges review, which is planned to conclude later this year.

Sea Rescue: Manpower

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many coastguards there are in  (a) Cornwall,  (b) the South West and  (c) England.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The following number of Coastguards are:
	 (a) 31 in Cornwall.
	 (b) 90 in the South West.
	 (c) 276 in England.

Sea Rescue: Pay

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what pay scale is used for coastguards.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The following pay scale is used for the following grades of coastguard staff:
	Pay Band A (Coastguard Watch Assistants) £12, 509 - £14, 384
	Pay Band B (Watch Officers) £14, 742 - £18, 717
	Pay Band C (Watch and Sector Managers) £19, 746 - £25, 072
	Pay Band B and D1 (Rescue Co-ordination Managers): £23, 847 - £30,277
	In addition to these salaries, a 25 per cent. Coastguard allowance is paid to coastguard watch assistants, watch officers and watch managers, a 15 per cent. coastguard allowance is paid to sector managers, and RCC managers receive £2,455 on-call allowance.

OLYMPICS

Olympic Games 2012: Public Health

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Minister for the Olympics pursuant to the answer of 22 April 2008,  Official Report, column 1889W, on the Olympic Games 2012, what provision will be made to reduce any potential spread of sexually transmitted infections.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	The national health service in London is currently working with both the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and the Olympic Delivery Authority to assess the sexual health needs up to, during and after the games. Lessons learned from previous games in host cities such as Sydney and Athens are also being considered as part of the planning process.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Archaeology

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the terms of reference of the review of the Portable Antiquities Scheme are.

Margaret Hodge: The review has been commissioned by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, which will be partnered by the British Museum and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in its management and delivery.
	The review will consider the efficiency and effectiveness of the Portable Antiquities Scheme. It will consider in particular the following areas:
	(i) the objectives of the scheme in the light of changes in regional museum provision, most particularly the Renaissance programme;
	(ii) options for levels of activity and funding;
	(iii) how the scheme can be delivered in the future in the most cost-efficient manner; and
	(iv) how the scheme can be funded and managed in the future in a sustainable way.

Archaeology: Finance

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding allocation he has made for the Portable Antiquities Scheme in  (a) 2009-10 and  (b) 2010-11.

Margaret Hodge: Decisions on levels of funding for the Portable Antiquities Scheme for these years will follow the outcome of the review that has been commissioned by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

Archaeology: Vacancies

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which Portable Antiquities Scheme posts are vacant; and what plans there are to fill them.

Margaret Hodge: The following Portable Antiquities Scheme posts are vacant.
	Berkshire and Oxfordshire: this post has not been advertised yet.
	Kent: interviews have been arranged.
	Norfolk: interviews have been arranged.
	Northamptonshire: this post will become vacant in September.
	Warwickshire and Worcestershire: post-holder is on maternity leave.
	Yorkshire (north and east): second post has been deleted.
	Finds Adviser (Medieval Objects): post-holder is on maternity leave.

Bingo

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many licensed bingo clubs  (a) opened and  (b) closed in each year since 2003.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following table indicates the number of bingo halls licensed and operating in each year since 2003. No other statistics are held centrally.
	
		
			   Total licensed  Total operational 
			 2003 724 699 
			 2004 727 696 
			 2005 700 678 
			 2006 679 657 
			 2007 647 634

Departmental Standards

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many members of staff in his Department are responsible for each of its Public Service Agreement targets.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 4 June 2008
	The number of people in my Department responsible for each public service agreement target is shown in note 7, on page 62 of the 2006-07 Resource Accounts, which can be found at the following website address:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/dcmsresource accounts_200607.pdf
	or in the House Library. A similar note will appear in the 2007-08 Resource Accounts, which is expected to be laid before Parliament on 14 July 2008.

Electronic Government

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether mechanisms are in place to monitor the extent to which his Department's  (a) internal and  (b) external (i) correspondence and (ii) distribution of publications is carried out electronically.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Internal transactional correspondence within the DCMS is almost exclusively undertaken electronically. No departmental studies exist on this issue, as the current working method has been in place for many years.
	As a point of customer service, departmental policy on correspondence with external sources is to respond to inquiries in the manner in which the original request was received, unless a more effective and helpful method is available.
	Electronic versions of all DCMS publications are placed on the departmental website, and links to such publications are routinely placed throughout the DCMS website. Our publications policy is to adopt electronic rather than hard copy publication wherever possible, taking into account the needs of the target audience groups.

Gaming Machines: Licensing

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many  (a) B2 machines or their equivalent and  (b) B3 machines or their equivalent there were in licensed betting offices in each year since 1996.

Gerry Sutcliffe: In 1996, licensed betting offices could offer two "amusements with prizes" all-cash (AWP) gaming machines (now classified as category C machines under the Gambling Act). The AWP gaming machines were contingent on the betting office licence issued by the local licensing justices. No central records were kept on the number of AWPs in betting offices, but the Budd Report (2001) stated that according to the estimate of the British Amusement Catering Trade Association, there are about 14,500 all-cash machines in betting offices.
	From 2003, and prior to the Gambling Act coming fully into force in September 2007, licensed betting offices could make available up to four fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) with a maximum prize of £500. No central records were kept on the number of FOBTs made available in betting offices but the Gambling Commission's 2006-07 annual report included an estimate by BACTA that there were 24,500 fixed odds betting terminals as at March 31 of that year.
	From September 2007, FOBTs were reclassified as category B2 gaming machines. Betting offices can offer B3 gaming machines as part of their entitlement to a maximum of four category B gaming machines. The Gambling Commission is currently collating information about the numbers of gaming machines in betting offices and this figure will be available in due course.

Royal Opera House

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the proportion of those attending performances at the Royal Opera House who are from socio-economic groups  (a) A,  (b) B,  (c) C1,  (d) C2,  (e) D and  (f) E in each year since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: My Department has made no estimate of the figures requested.
	Arts Council England has informed me that the Royal Opera House collects data on its audiences based on ticket buyers but does not hold audience data of this kind.

Sports: Finance

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of the £755 million indicated in his Department's corporate plan as spending on sport over the next three years will be contributed by  (a) his Department,  (b) other Government Departments,  (c) local authorities and  (d) National Lottery sources; which other Government Departments are expected to contribute; and how much of the £755 million has been allocated to spending areas.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The £755 million indicated in the Department's corporate plan refers to the budget for the PE and Sport Strategy for Young People (PESSYP) and is Exchequer funding. The DCMS contribution to the PESSYP strategy 2008-11 includes £31.5 million for our Extending Activity work strand, and £5 million for coaching.
	In addition to this, since the publication of the Department's corporate plan the DCMS has provided additional funding of £13.45 million for club and dance links, £12 million for leadership and volunteering, and a £3 million increase to the initial coaching programme.
	This makes a total DCMS contribution of £64.95 million out of the overall strategy budget of over £783 million, with DCSF providing the balance.
	All these moneys have been committed via the Department's delivery bodies. Our ambition is for local authorities to work with our delivery partners to realise the wider benefits that PESSYP can bring.

Sports: Schools

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many competition managers have been appointed.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Youth Sport Trust has advised that 189 competition managers have been appointed.

Video Games

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the public consultation on video game age ratings classification will be launched; and what the consultation period will be.

Margaret Hodge: We will publish an action plan later this month covering all the Byron recommendations and the timetable for implementation.

Video Games

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the public consultation on video game age ratings classification will include examination of the merits of the  (a) British Board of Film Classification system,  (b) Pan European Games Information system and  (c) hybrid system recommended in the Byron Review.

Margaret Hodge: Details of the consultations are not yet finalised. The purpose of the consultation exercise is to take forward the recommendations in the Byron Review, not to repeat the analysis that Dr. Byron conducted for her report.

WALES

Revenue and Customs: Reorganisation

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met Welsh Assembly Government Ministers to discuss the reorganisation of HM Revenue and Customs offices in Wales.

Paul Murphy: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I meet Welsh Assembly Ministers regularly to discuss a range of issues including HM Revenue and Customs. We continue to take a keen interest in the HMRC reorganisation and its impact in Wales. We have also spoken to and corresponded with Treasury Ministers on the issue.

DEFENCE

Aircraft Carriers

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the keels for each of the new aircraft carriers will be laid.

Des Browne: The build strategy for the new aircraft carriers is not analogous to the traditional method of laying a keel as the ships will be constructed in four main sections in different shipyards around the UK. The dates for start of construction of ship sections in the main shipyards, however, are planned to be early 2009 for HMS Queen Elizabeth and early 2010 for HMS Prince of Wales.

Armed Forces: Fairtrade Initiative

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2008,  Official Report, column 567W, on the Fairtrade initiative, how his Department promotes the use of fair trade products in British military establishments and bases.

Derek Twigg: The MOD is committed to supporting ethical trading, wherever possible, subject to the need to obtain best value for money. There are a wide variety of contracts in place across the Department which differ in their requirements, specifications, degrees of management information and suppliers. It is recognised that there is a need for a cohesive approach to the procurement of catering services to promote the achievement of sustainable procurement objectives and the universal implementation of best practice. A working group consisting of catering, sustainable development and commercial specialists from all areas of the MOD was formed in January 2008 and is currently looking at strategy options for change and improvement in collaboration with OGCbuying.solutions.

Armed Forces: Fairtrade Initiative

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2008,  Official Report, column 567W, on the Fairtrade initiative, 
	(1)  what Fairtrade products are  (a) available for purchase at his Department's staff catering facilities and  (b) offered at official departmental meetings and engagements;
	(2)  what the value was of Fairtrade produce purchased at his Department's staff catering facilities in each of the last three financial years; and what percentage of total revenue this represented.

Derek Twigg: The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Housing

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the book cost of the long service advance of pay scheme was in each year since its inception.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 2 June 2008, O fficial Report, column 674W.

Armed Forces: Manpower

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many clinicians  (a) joined and  (b) left the Defence Medical Services in each year since 1997, broken down by service.

Derek Twigg: The term "clinician" is interpreted to mean a medical doctor or dentist.
	Figures from 1997-98 to 2003-04 have been sourced from the former Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA).
	Figures for 2005-07 have been sourced from the Defence Medical Services Department and cannot be broken down by service.
	
		
			  Doctor/dentist inflow and outflow 
			   1997-98  1998-99  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2005  2006  2007 
			  All services   
			 Intake from civil life 50 90 110 110 70 150 130 90 110 120 
			 Total outflow 90 80 80 60 50 60 60 80 50 80 
			
			  Naval service( 1)   
			 Intake from civil life 20 20 30 30 20 30 30 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Total outflow 20 20 20 20 10 20 10 n/a n/a n/a 
			
			  Army( 2)   
			 Intake from civil life 20 70 60 60 40 100 70 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Total outflow 40 40 30 30 20 30 40 n/a n/a n/a 
			
			  Royal Air Force   
			 Intake from civil life 20 10 20 20 20 20 20 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Total outflow 30 20 20 20 20 10 10 n/a n/a n/a 
			 n/a = Not available (1) Naval outflow includes transfers from a medical specialism to dentistry (two in 1996-97, one in 1997-98 and one in 1999-2000). Naval intake for 2000-01 includes four re-entrants and one transfer from Army. (2) It has not been possible to identify, from the data received by DASA, the exact intake dates of Army doctors and dentists. All Army intake figures provided here are the outflow plus the increase in strength.  Note: All figures are rounded to the nearest 10

AWE Burghfield

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his timetable is for the submission of a planning application to replace the gravel gerties at Atomic Weapons Establishment, Burghfield.

Bob Ainsworth: The planning application for the assembly/disassembly facility at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Burghfield, which will replace the gravel gerties, is currently programmed for submission to West Berkshire council in the last quarter of 2008.

Bombs

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the UK's position on the banning of cluster bombs is; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: The adopted Convention prohibiting the use of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians is a major breakthrough in that it brings considerable humanitarian benefits and makes the world a better and safer place.
	In line with the Prime Minister's statement of 28 May 2008 and the Convention text adopted by 109 states in Dublin on 30 May 2008, the UK is withdrawing from service its sub-munitions, namely the L20A1 Extended Range Bomblet Shell (M85) and the CRV-7 Multi-Purpose Sub-Munition (M73). The UK armed forces will no longer use them operationally.
	The Convention does not alter our ability to work with coalition partners on operations involving states that are not signatories to the agreement. The adopted text also does not prevent the US from continuing to stockpile cluster munitions on its bases on UK territory (including Diego Garcia). However, in keeping with our commitment to uphold the norms of the treaty, we will be discussing with the US the longer-term status of its stockpiles on UK territory.
	The Convention prohibition on cluster munitions does not cover new weapons which do not carry the same risk to civilians because of their larger size, low numbers and the fact that they have sensor targeting and two fail-safe systems. A case in point is the 155mm ballistic sensor fused munition (BSFM), an anti-armour system artillery round. The BSFM is due to enter service in the UK armed forces in 2012 and replace the anti-armour capability of the L20A1-M85.

Departmental Property

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what premises are occupied by units of the armed forces which are not owned by his Department.

Derek Twigg: A breakdown of MOD land identified as freehold, leased or where we hold legal rights, is available at
	www.dasa.mod.uk/natstats/ukds/2007/c6/table603.html
	It is not possible to provide a more detailed breakdown, or to identify which areas are occupied without disproportionate cost.
	We keep our estate under continuous review to ensure that it is no larger than is required for defence purposes, and would normally only use non-MOD land where there is no alternative.

Nuclear Disarmament

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his statement at the UN Conference on Disarmament on 5 February 2008 that the UK is willing to host a technical conference of P5 nuclear laboratories on the verification of nuclear disarmament before the next Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in 2010, what  (a) date has been set and  (b) practical arrangements have been made for the meeting; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: In my offer to host a P5 conference between the laboratories of the nuclear weapon states, I proposed that it should take place within the current NPT review cycle ending in 2010. My intention remains that this should be a P5 conference hosted by the UK rather than a UK conference to which the P5 partners are invited. We are actively engaging with our P5 partners to ensure that this conference will also meet their requirements in terms of timing and content. I will keep the House informed of progress.

Peacekeeping Operations: International Security Assistance Force

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts on sourcing the requirements for ISAF's Operational Reserve Force.

Bob Ainsworth: Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) is responsible for filling the specific requirements of NATO operations. However, we lobby regularly, most recently at the Bucharest summit, for allies to commit more troops to Afghanistan. We also continue to press for reform within NATO to allow the organisation to deal better with the requirements of current operations.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Aerials: Planning Permission

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in what circumstances and under what authority local authorities may  (a) withdraw and  (b) place conditions on permitted development rights for mobile phone masts permitted under a general permitted development order; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: Local planning authorities can make a direction seeking the withdrawal of permitted development rights under article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (the GPDO) where they are satisfied that it is expedient that development should not be carried out unless permission is granted for it on application.
	A direction made in respect of electronic communications code operators' apparatus will require the approval of the Secretary of State, who may approve the direction with or without modifications under article 5 of the GPDO. Planning Policy Guidance Note 8: Telecommunications sets out the policy on removing permitted development rights granted under part 24.
	The permitted development rights contained in part 24 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 grant planning permission for a range of electronic communications developments subject to a number of conditions and limitations. The conditions limiting the use of these rights are set out within the order, including the need to apply to the local planning authority for a determination as to whether the prior approval of the authority will be required to the siting and appearance of the development, in certain cases.
	In the Government's view, there is an implicit power to attach conditions to the approval of the details of the siting and appearance of the proposed development. The use of such conditions should not be attached as a matter of course, should be confined to matters relating to siting and appearance, and should only be used in exceptional circumstances.

Departmental Domestic Visits

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many times Ministers in her Department have visited  (a) commercial leisure organisations,  (b) licensed bingo clubs and  (c) dance schools in each year since 2003.

Parmjit Dhanda: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Manpower

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what proportion of her Department's employees are  (a) male,  (b) female,  (c) from an ethnic minority,  (d) disabled and  (e) not heterosexual; and if she will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: The numbers and proportions of staff in the various demographic groups are as listed in the following table. These figures are correct as at 30 April 2008 and exclude staff in our executive agencies and Communities staff working in the Government office network. Ethnicity, disability and sexuality are reported on a voluntary basis and are known for around 73 per cent. of staff. For these factors the given proportions are based on these known populations.
	
		
			Number of employees ( 1) Proportion of known population (percentage) 
			  (a) Male 1,170 51 
			  (b) Female 1,144 49 
			  (c) From an ethnic minority 354 21 
			  (d) Disabled 103 6 
			  (e) Not heterosexual 97 6

Departmental Overseas Visits

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 21 April 2008,  Official Report, column 1392W, on departmental overseas visits, what the  (a) country of destination and  (b) purpose was of each visit, excluding those to Brussels and Strasbourg.

Parmjit Dhanda: The country of destination for each of the overseas visits is as follows.
	
		
			  Destination  Number of trips 
			  European  
			 Austria 4 
			 Belgium 1 
			 Belgium (rail) 177 
			 Croatia 1 
			 Cyprus 1 
			 Denmark 11 
			 France 10 
			 Germany 48 
			 Ireland 12 
			 Italy 2 
			 Luxembourg 6 
			 Netherlands 17 
			 Norway 1 
			 Portugal 23 
			 Romania 12 
			 Slovenia 1 
			 Spain 24 
			 Sweden 3 
			 Switzerland 5 
			 Turkey 3 
			 Total 362 
			   
			  Intercontinental  
			 Bangladesh 2 
			 Japan 1 
			 Kenya 1 
			 New Zealand 4 
			 Pakistan 2 
			 Uganda 3 
			 United Arab Emirates 1 
			 United States of America 12 
		
	
	The purpose of these visits was to represent the Department and to provide expert advice on policy/subject issues.

Departmental Overseas Visits

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 21 April 2008,  Official Report, column 1392W, on departmental overseas visits, what the cost of the overseas visits was.

Parmjit Dhanda: The travel cost of the 388 overseas visits was as follows:
	362 European visits total—£79,267
	26 rest of the world visits total—£72,633

Departmental Pay

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what proportion of employees in her Department who received a performance-related bonus at their last appraisal were  (a) male,  (b) female,  (c) from an ethnic minority,  (d) disabled and  (e) not heterosexual; and if she will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: The following table gives the numbers receiving annual performance-related bonuses in the various demographic groups. These figures refer to the performance year 2006-07, which is the last year for which figures are available. They exclude staff in our executive agencies and Communities staff working in the Government office network. Ethnicity, disability and sexuality are reported on a voluntary basis and are known for around 60 per cent. of staff who received a bonus. For these factors the given proportions are based on these known populations.
	
		
			Number receiving a bonus  Proportion of bonus recipients (percentage) 
			  (a) Male 270 47 
			  (b) Female 299 53 
			  (c) From an ethnic minority 25 10 
			  (d) Disabled 5 1 
			  (e) Not heterosexual 24 7 
			 (1) Based on known population

Digital Switchover Help Scheme

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a copy of  (a) the research on return path capability among the elderly and  (b) the draft return path costed option annex referred to in the minutes of the Emerging Technologies Group meeting on 27 February in relation to the digital switchover assistance scheme.

Iain Wright: The Department has not commissioned specific research on the usage of services by the elderly that are provided through a set top box with a return path. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 May 2008,  Official Report, column 265W.
	The Department has explored with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport the opportunities of providing return path functionality for recipients of the digital switchover 'Help Scheme', and the meeting of the Emerging Technologies Group formed part of the discussion on this issue. The minutes of that meeting refer to a draft costed option annex which the Department agreed to provide to the group following the meeting to illustrate what could be asked of industry. A copy of the costed option annex will be placed in the Library. Two paragraphs have been redacted to avoid the risk that the document gives the misleading impression that this is a real invitation to industry to tender for this work.

Empty Property: Greater London

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many houses in London are empty.

Iain Wright: There are 87,159 empty properties across London, of which 69,485 are privately owned. Of these privately owned empty properties, 27,437 have been empty for longer than six months. It is important to draw a distinction between properties that have been left empty for less than six months and those that are vacant for longer, as properties empty for less than six months are most likely to be transactional vacancies which are a natural function of any housing market.
	We recognise the problems caused by the high number of long-term empty properties and continue to encourage local authorities to put measures in place to reduce this number, supported by the legislation that we introduced in the Housing Act 2004 which has given councils the powers to apply to make an Empty Dwelling Management Order in respect of properties that have been vacant for over six months. When an Empty Dwelling Management Order has been made, a council takes over management responsibility for that property, which includes ensuring that it becomes occupied.

Housing

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what is the estimated difference, in cash terms, between the build cost of a family home meeting level 6 on the Code for Sustainable Homes and that of one meeting the minimum requirement under building regulations.

Iain Wright: The cost analysis carried out on the Code for Sustainable Homes by Cyril Sweett in November 2007 examined a variety of different housing and development types. Information from this analysis formed part of a full cost-benefit analysis on implementing mandatory ratings against the code that was included in the impact assessment of the Housing and Regeneration Bill. The analysis contains estimated additional build costs for 2008 and for 2016 to take into account of factors such as improvements within industrial processes and technological developments. I have placed a copy of this analysis in the Library of the House.

Local Government: Pensions

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in what circumstances a local authority  (a) could and  (b) should award an additional pension under the new Local Government Pension Scheme provisions.

John Healey: An additional pension is awarded automatically to eligible members of the Local Government Pension Scheme on grounds of ill health. The actual amount is dependent on an eligible member's capacity to undertake future employment. In other instances, a pension can be enhanced either by the awarding of an extra period of membership or by payment of a fixed amount up to a maximum of £5,000 per year. The actual amount paid is at the discretion of the employing authority and must be in line with its published policy statement, supported by a business case to demonstrate the reasonableness of the decision.

Local Government: Pensions

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 16 May 2008,  Official Report, columns 1798-99W, on Local Government: Pensions, what assessment she has made of the reasons for the increase in the cost of the Local Government Pension Scheme to local authorities between 1996-97 and 2006-07.

John Healey: Every three years the regulations governing the Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales require each local authority pension fund to conduct an actuarial valuation exercise to establish the rate at which employers will need to contribute to their fund to ensure its ongoing solvency.
	Over the period identified, the single most important influence on employer contributions has been the increase in scheme membership. In 1997, membership of the LGPS totalled 2.3 million, including active, pensioner and deferred members. By 2007, this had increased to 3.6 million. Other important factors identified as part of each actuarial valuation exercise which will also influence the level of employer contributions to the scheme include assumptions about improving longevity, pay and pay progression, price inflation, the incidence of ill-health early retirements, commutation of pensions, investment returns and prevailing economic circumstances generally.

Local Government: Pensions

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 16 May 2008,  Official Report, columns 1798-99W, on Local Government: Pensions, what the estimated  (a) total cost and  (b) total cost excluding non-local authority employer costs are for (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09.

John Healey: The information requested is not available at present, but data for 2007-08 will be published in a statistical release in the autumn.

Non-Domestic Rates

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will estimate the revenue which would accrue from a 2p business rate supplement on businesses with a rateable value of over £50,000 if such a supplement were levied in each local authority in 2008-09.

John Healey: Business Rate Supplements will allow authorities to invest in much-needed projects aimed at boosting the economic development of local areas, which otherwise would not be able to go ahead. Business will be consulted in all cases, and will be given a vote on projects where supplements will fund more than a third of the total cost. Authorities may decide to set the supplement lower than the maximum of 2p per £1 of rateable value; offset the Business Rate Supplement against any contributions for Business Improvement Districts; raise the rateable value threshold above £50,000; and/or introduce a taper above the £50,000 threshold. Table 3.4 of "Business rate supplements: A White Paper", published in October 2007, sets out the potential supplement revenue. According to this table the maximum revenue raised in England would be £597.1 million, based on 2007 rateable values, the most recent year for which data are available.

Regional Ministers: Parliamentary Questions

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for what reasons regional Ministers do not answer parliamentary questions; and if she will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: Regional Ministers do not have executive powers, and it is for departmental Ministers to answer parliamentary questions on issues pertaining to their Departments' responsibilities. The Government believe, however, that regional Ministers should be accountable to Parliament in fulfilling their roles set out in the Green Paper 'The Governance of Britain' and parliamentary questions on their work in this capacity are answered by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. The Modernisation Committee of the House is currently conducting an inquiry into how regional accountability could be improved, which may make recommendations on how parliamentary questions on the work of regional Ministers are answered in future. The Committee is finalising its report and Government will respond to its recommendations once it is published.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment the Audit Commission has made of the reasons for recent trends in levels of benefit fraud.

Iain Wright: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission, and I will ask the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member directly.
	 Letter from Steve Bundred, dated May 2008:
	Your Parliamentary Question on what assessment the Audit Commission has made of the reasons for recent trends in levels of benefit fraud has been passed to me for reply.
	As you will know, on 20 May 2008 the Commission published its biannual report on the National Fraud Initiative. I am enclosing a further copy for information. The report shows that public bodies are getting better at identifying fraud—the issue for us is to encourage them to display a zero tolerance to fraud, and to prosecute wherever practicable. The Commission has also recently taken over responsibility for the inspection and assessment of housing and council tax benefits. We are developing a comprehensive framework to deal with benefit fraud that recognises the vital contribution that benefit services make to the social and economic wellbeing of local areas, as well as how this fits in with local authority strategies to address poverty, deprivation, homelessness and unemployment.
	However, the Commission does not have an overview of benefit fraud, and so cannot make any assessment of general trends, either in relation to take-up or fraud. The Department for Work and Pensions remains responsible for welfare benefits, and any queries about fraud in relation to, for example, disability benefits, would have to be addressed to DWP directly.
	A copy of this letter will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Environment Protection

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he plans to take to safeguard the environmental benefits of set-aside, with reference to the Common Agricultural Policy health check.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Government agree with the European Commission's proposal to abolish set-aside under the 'health check'. We and the Commission both recognise the importance of retaining the key environmental benefits, and we will continue to encourage the introduction of appropriate EU-wide measures. We have also asked Sir Don Curry to continue working with key stakeholders to advise further on domestic policy options.

Agriculture: Young People

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage young people to work in the agricultural sector.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Government recognise the importance of new entrants to farming to ensure a dynamic and innovative industry.
	DEFRA supports the industry-led Fresh Start initiative, which aims to encourage and support new entrants into farming. The Fresh Start Academies provide 12 to 18 months of business-focused training, as well as business mentoring and identifying opportunities for new entrants to farming.
	DEFRA provides funding to support the activities of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, which works with young people aged 10 to 26 with an interest in rural issues. The clubs offer young people a range of activities and experiences with a rural flavour, including training in agricultural and countryside skills and competitive activities.
	DEFRA also supports the Year of Food and Farming, an industry-led campaign, one of the objectives of which is to encourage children to learn about what happens on a farm, what life is like in the countryside and what employment opportunities it offers.

Animal Welfare: Finance

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to table 3, page 200 of his Department's Annual Report 2008, Cm 7399, for what reason no departmental expenditure limit expenditure on animal welfare is planned in  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Jonathan R Shaw: The planned Capital Departmental Expenditure Limit expenditure on Animal Welfare for 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 is now included within Departmental Operations Other Activities line. The planned expenditure is £600,000 for each of the three years.

Bees: Research

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 15 May 2008,  Official Report, columns 1742-43W, on Beekeeping: Research, what the results of project HH0819SHB on fungal control of Varroa jacobsoni were.

Jonathan R Shaw: The results of the project HH0819SHB on fungal control of Varroa jacobsoni are shown in the Research Project Final Report, which is available on the DEFRA website.

Bovine Tuberculosis

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in how many parishes in England and Wales incidences of bovine tuberculosis were confirmed in each year since 1997.

Jonathan R Shaw: The number of parishes in England and Wales where incidences of bovine tuberculosis were confirmed in each year since 1997 can be found in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of confirmed parishes in England  Number of confirmed parishes in Wales 
			 1997 277 33 
			 1998 397 60 
			 1999 461 77 
			 2000 525 87 
			 2001 292 67 
			 2002 820 146 
			 2003 821 163 
			 2004 855 183 
			 2005 948 188 
			 2006 986 222 
			 2007 1,047 215

Departmental Disclosure of Information

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is his Department's policy to release the home addresses of  (a) senior and  (b) middle-ranking officials if requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and what assessment he has made of the implications for personal security resulting from the release of such data.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 2 June 2008
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 2 June 2008,  Official Report, column 640W.

Departmental Equality

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his Department met the civil service diversity targets set out on page 51 of Cabinet Office Annual Report 2007 by April 2008.

Jonathan R Shaw: The latest published statistics against overall civil service targets were at October 2007, and are available on the civil service website at
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/diversity/monitoring.asp.
	The final measurement against the targets will be published in autumn 2008.
	DEFRA's position as at 31 March 2008 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			  Diversity strand  31 March 2008  Civil service target 31 March 2008 
			 Women SCS 27.9 37.0 
			 Women top management post is SCS 18.6 30.0 
			 Disabled SCS 2.5 4.0 
			 BME SCS 1.9 3.2

Departmental Land

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2008,  Official Report, column 2328W, on Tree Preservation Orders: Guildford, what assessment he has made of progress on disposal of the site against the stated timetable; and who the preferred bidder is.

Joan Ruddock: The exchange of contracts to the new owner, Linden Homes, took place on 18 May 2008. The contracts are due to be completed on 2 July 2008.

Departmental Legislation

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Acts for which his Department has policy responsibility received Royal Assent between 1 May 1997 and April 2008; and which provisions within those Acts have not been brought into force.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA was formed with effect from June 2001. Since that time it has sponsored (or supported, for Acts resulting from Private Members' Bills; these Acts are asterisked) the primary legislation listed in the following table. Regarding which provisions are in force, a single picture with the precise details of whether particular provisions of an Act have commenced (whether for all or some purposes, and whether in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as applicable) is information within the public domain which can be accessed using legislation subscription services, while individual Acts and commencement orders can be accessed severally without subscription on the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) website. In very broad terms, however, the picture is as indicated in the table.
	
		
			  Legislation  Provisions 
			 Animal Welfare Act 2006 c.45 For both England and Wales, all in force except section 8(3)-(6), paragraph 3(1) of schedule 3, and certain repeals 
			   
			 Commons Act 2006 c.26 The following provisions are not yet in force: sections 1, 2, 10, 18, 26-28, 30, 32-37, 46. The following provisions are not in force, save in relation to Wales for certain ministerial powers to make delegated legislation and exercise other powers in anticipation of coming into force; sections 3, 6, 7, 8, 11-14, 19-21, 25, 29, 31 and 50, and schedules 2 and 3. Sections 16, 38, 41 and 48, and schedule 4 paragraphs 2-5 and 7, are in force in England, but not Wales. Sections 17, 39, 40, 42-44 are in force in England, but not Wales except for such ministerial powers. Schedules 5 and 6 are mostly not in force. 
			   
			 Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 c. 19 All in force 
			   
			 Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 c.16 All in force except schedule 11 paragraph 74 
			   
			 Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 c.16 Section 1 has been repealed, remainder is in force except the following provisions: sections 37, 46 (but in force in Wales), 49 (5), (7), (8) (but in force for the purposes of enabling guidance to be given by the Secretary of State), schedule 4 para 3(5) and para 3(6) (but in force for the purposes of amendments to s52 (1) and (3)). Schedule 5 part 4 (not in force for the purpose of repeal of Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1986, s6) and part 9 (not in force in Wales) 
			 Hunting Act 2004 c.37 All in force 
			   
			 Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 c.1 1 All in force 
			   
			 Household Waste Recycling Act 2003 c.29* All in force 
			   
			 Ragwort Control Act 2003 c.40* All in force 
			 Water Act 2003 c.37 The following provisions are not yet in force: sections 5, 7, 8(2), 32, 58(2)-(4), (5) and (8) (not in force in England with the exception of insertions into the Water Industry Act 1991 for the purpose of enabling the Secretary of State to make regulations), (6), (7) and (9)-(14). Section 73, section 86(2) (a)-(e) and (3)-(7), section 88 and 89 and schedule 1 (in force except in so far as inserts Water Industry Act 1991, schedule 1A, para 11). Schedule 7, paras 3, 5, 9 and 41. Schedule 9, part 1 , and part 3 (not in force in relation to certain repeals of or in other legislation) 
			   
			 Waste and Emissions Trading Act 2003 c.33 All in force 
			   
			 Sustainable Energy Act 2003 c.30* In force except sections 3 and 4 
			   
			 Animal Health Act 2002 c.42 All in force

Departmental Public Participation

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on  (a) written consultation,  (b) consultation roadshows and  (c) stakeholder focus groups in each of the last three years.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA carries out consultation exercises as an integral part of our policy development work. Consultations are funded from local budgets rather than centrally and overall spend could be calculated only at disproportionate cost.
	While complying with the Government's Code of Practice on Consultation, the scale and approach of DEFRA's consultations varies depending on what is appropriate for the issues and stakeholder groups involved. This ranges from consultations with a specific, small group of stakeholders (e.g. Consultation on the Reform of the EU Fruit and Vegetable Regime, which received 12 responses) to far-reaching policies that use multiple approaches to consult with a wider range of stakeholders (e.g. the Climate Change Bill, consultation on which received 16,919 responses).

Departmental Research

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what science and research projects his Department commissioned in each year since 2001; how long each project was expected to last at the time it was commissioned; what cost his Department incurred in relation to each project; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: An overview of DEFRA's scientific R and D since 2001 is provided in my response to question 3623. Details of all DEFRA-funded scientific research projects commissioned since 2001 are available through the DEFRA R and D website at
	http://randd.defra.gov.uk/

Departmental Research

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what science and research projects his Department has commissioned which are ongoing; for how long each project is commissioned to run for; what cost has been incurred by his Department on each; when each project is expected to finish; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: At any one time, DEFRA is responsible for around 2,000 science-related projects. Most of these are research projects commissioned to underpin DEFRA policy formulation and development, but we also fund major 'Non-R and D' programmes covering our monitoring, testing and surveillance activities. Projects range in timescale from single events for sharing knowledge to long-term studies expected to run until 2012 or beyond.
	I will place a list of ongoing DEFRA research and development projects in the Library.
	Details of all these DEFRA funded projects are available through the DEFRA R and D website at
	http://randd.defra.gov.uk/

Departmental Research

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on scientific research and development in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  Spend (£ million) 
			 2001-02 144 
			 2002-03 144 
			 2003-04 146 
			 2004-05 153 
			 2005-06 156 
			 2006-07 154 
			 2007-08 132 
		
	
	The acquisition and use of evidence is central to the development and delivery of robust policies and operations, and underpins DEFRA's reputation and ability to influence.
	In 2007-08 around 95 per cent. of DEFRA's research and development budget was spent by policy groups to directly support their strategic priorities. The remaining funds were used by the central evidence teams to fund cross-cutting and horizon scanning work. In addition to expenditure on research and development, approximately £200 million was spent in 2007-08 on other science, including surveillance, monitoring, field trials and knowledge transfer.
	The Secretary of State has asked the DEFRA chief scientific adviser, Professor Bob Watson, to conduct an internal review of current R and D investment. Professor Watson is working with colleagues to find ways in which to
	streamline the process of R and D proposal development;
	better integrate planning and focus more on cross-links with other areas of DEFRA and its network of agencies;
	make more effective use of uncommitted funds, and ensure a better balance in strategic investment profiles;
	encourage greater flexibility in budgets to better respond to in-year changes in priorities; and
	ensure monitoring and evaluation is commissioned to better assess the impact of policies.

Departmental Research

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department plans to spend on scientific research and development in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA plans to spend approximately £132 million on scientific research and development in the financial year 2008-09, representing about 5 per cent. of DEFRA's total programme budget. DEFRA also plans to continue to fund other science activity, including surveillance, monitoring, field trials and knowledge transfer.
	The future spending plans for scientific research and development across the next five years have not yet been agreed. Our focus will continue to be on ensuring that the science that the department procures and uses is both fully relevant to our needs and of the highest quality.
	The DEFRA Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Bob Watson, is leading efforts to improve the way in which DEFRA strategically manages and uses evidence, including scientific research and development. These efforts are mainly being directed through DEFRA's new Evidence Programme, which was formally established in April 2008. Key elements of this programme, including the development of an Evidence Strategy, were recently explored at a workshop with key DEFRA staff, colleagues from the Environment Agency and Natural England and members of DEFRA's Science Advisory Council (an independent, non-departmental public body providing expert advice on science policy and strategy). An event is planned for September 2008 to discuss DEFRA's draft evidence investment strategy with other funders and representatives of the science community.

Emergency Services: Radioactive Materials

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his Department has completed the improvement in the system performance of the Nuclear Emergency Planning and Radioactive Incident Monitoring Network; and what the improvements have cost.

Phil Woolas: A programme of work to improve the performance of the Radioactive Incident Monitoring Network (RIMNET) system has recently been completed. This has involved some upgrades to system hardware and corresponding software adjustments. The cost of this improvement work has been met by the system supplier.

Forests: Finance

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on programmes to combat deforestation in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The Government have deployed both funding and other resources, such as expertise, and representation through the UN, G8 and Forest Law Enforcement and Governance processes. The causes of deforestation are complex, and actions to address it overlap with governance and biodiversity initiatives.
	In March 2007, the Government announced a £50 million UK contribution to a fund to help conserve the Congo Basin rain forest. This will support proposals by 10 central African countries to protect the Congo Basin rain forest from destruction, and will strengthen the work of other donors who are already active in the region.
	In Bali last December, the UK announced a contribution of £15 million to the World Bank's Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) which will help developing countries to work out how they can participate in and benefit from evolving incentive mechanisms for avoiding deforestation. The FCPF will provide support for technical and institutional capacity building through a Readiness Fund, and pilot different approaches for providing financial incentives.
	Under the Darwin Initiative, the Government have committed more than £65 million to 490 projects in more than 146 countries. Specifically, the Darwin Initiative has funded over 100 projects in over 40 countries with the specific aim of conserving forest biodiversity at a cost of over £15 million of funding.
	The UK is contributing £24 million to support implementation of the EU's Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan. This involves bilateral agreements between the EU and timber-producing countries that will help them develop and implement timber licensing systems. The agreements will seek to address broader governance problems that allow illegal logging and forest destruction in these countries.
	The Government support a number of other initiatives, for instance by working with Indonesia under the Indonesia-UK Partnership Forum. The UK provided funding and expertise to help the Government of Indonesia prepare for the UN climate negotiations in Bali, in December. This included a contribution from the Department for International Development of £0.25 million to help Indonesia work on reducing emissions from deforestation.

Concrete: Sittingbourne

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what further steps the Environment Agency has taken on the illegal crushing of concrete by KKB at Four Gun Field in Sittingbourne.

Jonathan R Shaw: I understand that KKB at Four Gun Field has a Paragraph 24 exemption under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007. This is registered with Medway unitary (England and Wales) authority and allows the crushing of concrete at Four Gun Field.
	The Environment Agency is part of a multi-agency group including Swale borough council, Medway unitary authority and Kent county council which will take necessary action as and when it is required.

Natural England: Forests

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will bring forward measures to make Natural England a statutory consultee for applications to fell ancient woodlands.

Joan Ruddock: We have no plans to change the current consultation arrangements for tree felling proposals received by the Forestry Commission. This includes consultation with Natural England where felling affects a National Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Heritage Coast.

New Forest Verderers

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will implement a system for consultation with relevant local organisations in the New Forest prior to decisions being taken on the appointment or reappointment of the Official Verderer at the end of his term of office.

Joan Ruddock: We have no plans to change the current arrangements for the selection of a person to be recommended for appointment as Official Verderer. The selection process follows the principles of the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies with appointment on merit being the overriding principle.

Official Visits: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what visits he has made to Essex in the last 12 months.

Jonathan R Shaw: Since becoming Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend has visited Essex once in an official capacity. He visited Ingrebourne Hill in Rainham. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code.

Pesticides: EU Action

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations are being made to the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety on the UK's position on proposals to tighten the cut-off criteria for approving essential pesticides.

Phil Woolas: The Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) included an initial assessment of the impact of the criteria proposed by the Commission in briefing provided for UK members of the Committee during its first reading of the proposal. The PSD subsequently prepared a detailed impact assessment of both the Commission's proposals and the amendments sought by the Parliament in its first reading, and will include this in briefing provided for UK members of the Committee during the second reading.

Wheat

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the annual consumption of wheat in the UK in each of the last five years, in tonnes.

Jonathan R Shaw: Information on the annual consumption of wheat for the calendar years 2003 to 2007, in thousand tonnes, as published in "Agriculture in the United Kingdom" are presented in the following table. It should be noted that the figures for 2007 are provisional only.
	
		
			  Thousand tonnes 
			  Wheat usage  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007( 1) 
			 Total domestic uses 13,419 13,300 13,711 13,598 13,602 
			  Of which:  
			 flour milling 5,611 5,600 5,642 5,625 5,702 
			 animal feed 6,708 6,627 7,002 6,868 6,742 
			 seed 281 275 254 254 275 
			 other uses and waste 819 798 813 850 882 
			 (1) Provisional.

TREASURY

Sustainable Procurement

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Office of Government Commerce is taking to increase sustainable procurement by Government departments.

Angela Eagle: The Government are committed to becoming one of the leaders in the EU in sustainable procurement by 2009. Driving improvements in sustainable procurement and operations is one of four corporate priorities for the civil service. A new chief sustainability officer, based in the Office of Government Commerce, supported by a Centre of Expertise in Sustainable Procurement is working with Departments to draw up a delivery plan for sustainable procurement and operations, to be published in the summer.

Credit Unions

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on proposals for revisions to the legislation on credit unions.

Kitty Ussher: I have shared with ministerial colleagues the responses to the Treasury consultation on the review of credit union legislation. The responses indicate an overwhelming appetite for reform, and the Government response sets out our intention to legislate subject to parliamentary time.
	The Government have brought together a sector working group to develop options for reform.

Credit Unions

Si�n Simon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on support for credit unions.

Kitty Ussher: Support for credit unions continues to be at the heart of the Government's financial inclusion strategy. The Government will invest 80 million over five years (2006-11) in a growth fund for credit unions and other not-for-profit lenders. More than 100 lenders have already been supported, and more than 70,000 affordable loans have been made to financially excluded clients since 2006. More recently we have been looking at ways of updating credit union legislation to remove impediments to their growth and development.

Vehicle Excise Duty

Mark Harper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reassess the proposals to amend vehicle excise duty announced in Budget 2008.

Robert Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reconsider his proposals on vehicle excise duty changes announced in Budget 2008.

Angela Eagle: The vehicle excise duty reforms announced in the Budget are due to be included in the 2009 Finance Bill. The Chancellor keeps all taxation policy under review.
	Tackling climate change is the most serious environmental challenge we face, and road transport contributes around a quarter of total UK carbon dioxide emissions. As part of a package of measures to reduce emissions from transport, these VED reforms will send strong signals to motorists to purchase more fuel-efficient new and second-hand cars.

Oil and Gas Prices

Graham Brady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the effect on taxation revenues of increases in oil and gas prices in the last 12 months.

Angela Eagle: Higher oil prices do not result in a significant tax windfall for the Treasury. Higher oil prices generate greater receipts from both North sea corporation tax and petroleum revenue tax, but there are a number of offsetting effects that limit the overall impact on the public finances.
	Updated forecasts will be published in the pre-Budget report later this year.

Fuel Prices: Highlands and Islands

Alan Reid: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of the recent rises in the price of fuel on the economy of the Highlands and Islands.

Angela Eagle: Increases in fuel prices, driven by developments in the global oil and wholesale gas markets, inevitably continue to influence all areas of the UK economy, including the Highlands. However, the UK as a whole is better placed to respond to these challenges than in the past, with record high employment and low inflation. The Highlands and Islands in particular are seeing an employment rate significantly above the UK and Scottish average, and have seen claimant count unemployment falling by 67 per cent. since 1997.

Economic Activity: Warrington

Helen Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of trends in economic activity in Warrington since 1997.

Angela Eagle: Since 1997, the economy of the north- west has grown by 4.6 per cent. on average in nominal terms. In Warrington, since 1997 increased economic activity has allowed claimant count unemployment to fall by 40 per cent. and long-term unemployment to fall by 86 per cent. The employment rate in Warrington is now above the national average at 76 per cent.

Income Tax

Anne Main: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the income distribution of the 1.1 million households which will not be fully compensated for the abolition of the 10p rate of income tax by the measures announced on 13 May 2008.

Jane Kennedy: The announcement on 13 May means that 80 per cent. of the households who stood to lose from the Budget 2007 reforms are compensated in full, and the remaining 1.1 million will see their losses more than halved.
	Details of the household incomes of the 1.1 million households who are not fully compensated are set out in the Memorandum to the Treasury Committee for its inquiry into budget measures and low-income households.
	This shows that just over half these households have a gross income above 20,000.

Government's Fiscal Rules

Peter Lilley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment his Department has made of the extent to which levels of public debt and borrowing comply with the Government's fiscal rules.

Yvette Cooper: Budget 2008 shows that the Government are meeting the fiscal rules. The Government assess performance against the fiscal rules alongside a complete update of both the economic and public finance projections, which take place at the time of Budget and pre-Budget reports. In line with The Code for Fiscal Stability, the next update on performance against the rules is at the 2008 pre-Budget report.

Oil Prices

Nia Griffith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with international counterparts on the economic effects of global oil prices.

Angela Eagle: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has had various discussions with international counterparts in recent months regarding the economic effects of oil prices, including at G7 Finance Ministers' meetings in February and April 2008. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.

Public-Sector Debt and Borrowing

Adam Holloway: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the accuracy of his Department's forecasts of levels of public-sector debt and public borrowing in the last five years.

Yvette Cooper: The end of year fiscal report (EYFR) published alongside the pre-Budget report provides a clear and transparent assessment of public-sector debt and public borrowing forecasts.

Computers

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has issued guidance to staff in his Department to switch off personal computers when they are not in use; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: Guidance has been issued under the Acceptable Use Policy for both HM Treasury and OGC staff to turn off unused computers when they are not in use, for security reasons and to avoid wasting electrical energy. In addition, Treasury staff are reminded to turn off screens via their 'green screen saver'.

Economic Situation: Education

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effects on the economy of public expenditure on education.

Yvette Cooper: Investment per pupil in England has increased from under 2,500 in 1997 to over 6,000 in 2008-9. This has supported a big increase in attainment, with more than 60 per cent. of pupils now getting five or more GCSEs at grade A* to C, compared with 45.1 per cent. in 1997. As the Leitch report showed, increasing skills and education has a long-term impact on economic growth.
	It is for the devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to determine per-pupil funding levels in their territories, but latest available data reveals that total UK expenditure on education has risen from 37.4 billion in 1997-98 to 76.2 billion in 2007-08.

Financial Services Authority

John Thurso: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what oversight his Department has on consultations undertaken by the Financial Services Authority.

Kitty Ussher: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is operationally independent of Government. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) requires the Financial Services Authority to consult on rules that it proposes to make, unless it considers that the delay involved in consultation would be prejudicial to consumers. The consultation must include an explanation of the purpose of the proposed rules and a cost-benefit analysis unless there is no increase in costs or the increase in costs will be of minimal significance.

Members: Correspondence

David Wilshire: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Financial Secretary will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Spelthorne of 1 April and 6 May on behalf of his constituent, Mrs Helen Seeley.

Jane Kennedy: I have replied to the hon. Member.

Minimum Wage: Enforcement

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff are allocated to enforcement of the national minimum wage in each region and nation of the UK.

Jane Kennedy: The numbers of enforcement staff and their locations by region and nation are in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of enforcement staff 
			  Region  
			 Scotland 12 
			 Northern Ireland 8 
			 Wales 8 
			 North West 16 
			 North East 10 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 15 
			 East Midlands 7 
			 West Midlands 8 
			 East of England 8 
			 South East 14 
			 South West 8 
			 London 9 
			   
			  Nation  
			 Scotland 12 
			 Northern Ireland 8 
			 Wales 8 
			 England 95

Minimum Wage: Telephone Services

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints the National Minimum Wage hotline has received in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: The following table shows the number of complaints received about possible underpayment of the minimum wage. The figures include complaints received by the National Minimum Wage Helpline and some other sources such as email.
	
		
			   Complaints 
			 2005-06 2,141 
			 2006-07 2,210 
			 2007-08 3,231

National Debt

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the national debt was as a percentage of GDP in real terms in  (a) 1990,  (b) 1995,  (c) 2000 and  (d) 2005;
	(2)  what the national debt was as a percentage of GNP in  (a) 1990,  (b) 1995,  (c) 2000 and  (d) 2005;
	(3)  what the national debt was per working person in real terms in  (a) 1990,  (b) 1995,  (c) 2000 and  (d) 2005.

Angela Eagle: For the purposes of assessing performance against the sustainable investment rule, public sector net debt is measured as a percentage of GDP. Figures for the public-sector net debt ( billion) and public-sector net debt as a percentage of GDP are published monthly on Table A7 and Table A8, respectively, of the Public Finances Databank produced by HM Treasury, which is available on
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/economic_data_and_tools/finance_spending_statistics/pubsec_finance/psf_statistics.cfm
	The Office for National Statistics does not specifically release figures for the gross national product (GNP), but releases figures for gross national income (GNI), which can be found in the Blue Book on Table 1.2: Gross National Income in Current Prices (series ABMX).
	Figures for the working age population are released by the Office for National Statistics, based on the Labour Force Survey (LFS), which can be found in Labour Market Statistics on Table 1: Population (all) aged 16-59/64 and Economically active (all) aged 16-59/64 (series YBTF and YBSK, respectively).
	Both GNI and LFS figures are available on
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/tsdtimezone.asp

Public Expenditure: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average public expenditure per capita in the City of York was in 1996-97 and 2007-08.

Yvette Cooper: The lowest level at which public expenditure per capita information is available is the region. Between 1996-97 and 2007-08 (planned spend), per capita public expenditure on services in the Yorkshire and Humberside region grew from 3,989 to 7,590.

Railways: Finance

David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effects on the economy of expenditure on rail infrastructure.

Angela Eagle: The most recent assessment of the effects on the economy of expenditure on all modes of transport was made in the Eddington Transport Study carried out by Sir Rod Eddington for the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Transport in December 2006.
	The Department for Transport also published a White Paper, Delivering a Sustainable Railway, in July 2007 fulfilling the remit the Government set themselves in 2005 to provide strategic direction for the rail industry.

Revenue and Customs: Internet

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the cost of the current update project for the HM Revenue and Customs website.

Jane Kennedy: HM Revenue and Customs is currently undertaking a web convergence project to improve its customer facing web content and manage the transition of that content to the Businesslink.gov.uk and Directgov websites by March 2011. The estimated cost of the web convergence project is approximately 10 million over a five-year period from 2007-12.

Revenue and Customs: Manpower

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many HM Revenue and Customs employees worked on preventing the importation of  (a) controlled drugs,  (b) illegal firearms and  (c) illicit (i) alcohol and (ii) tobacco in each year since 2002-03; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 19 May 2008
	I have been asked to reply.
	HM Revenue and Customs frontline detection staff are multifunctional and are deployed on an intelligence-led basis according to risk. As a result it is not possible to break down the deployment of staff by commodity, as this would provide information of value to those seeking to circumvent HM Revenue and Customs' controls, thereby prejudicing the prevention of crime.
	The previous year's detection staffing figures for HM Revenue and Customs are provided in the following table.
	
		
			   Number 
			 2002-03 3,790 
			 2003-04 3,754 
			 2004-05 3,910 
			 2005-06 4,256 
			 2006-07 4,397 
			 2007-08 4,495

Smuggling: Wildlife

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people were  (a) cautioned and  (b) successfully prosecuted for attempting to smuggle into the UK (i) turtle shells and (ii) other items derived from endangered species in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Since April 2000 nine people have been successfully prosecuted for offences relating to the illegal importation into the UK of endangered species and derived products in breach of Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein. One case, in which one person was convicted, involved the smuggling of various animal skulls including a turtle skull.
	Officers of HM Revenue and Customs do not have statutory powers to issue a caution to an offender as an alternative to prosecution.

Unemployment

Susan Kramer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of three to five-year-olds were living in  (a) workless households and  (b) relative poverty in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	In the period April to June 2007, there were around 350,000 children in the United Kingdom aged between three and five years old living in workless working age households. This corresponds to 17.5 per cent. of all three to five-year-olds.
	The Government's preferred measure of relative low income poverty for children is defined as being in a household with a household income of less than 60 per cent. of the contemporary median income on a Before Housing Cost basis. In 2005-06, there were 0.5 million children in the United Kingdom aged between three and five years old in households with incomes below 60 per cent. of median income on a Before Housing Cost basis. This corresponds to 23 per cent. of all three to five-year-olds.
	 Notes:
	 Workless households
	1. Figures for households are based on working age households. A working age household is a household that includes at least one person of working age, that is a woman aged 16 to 59 or a man aged 16 to 64.
	2. The source of these statistics is the Labour Force Survey (LFS) which is a sample survey covering over 52,000 households in the UK in each three-month period.
	3. The LFS quarterly household datasets used to provide this estimate are weighted to the 2003 population estimates. Datasets reweighted to the latest population estimates are currently expected to be available in summer 2008.
	4. As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	 Relative Poverty
	5. These statistics are based on Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data, 2005-06.
	6. The reference period for HBAI figures is single financial years.
	7. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication Households Below Average Income series, which uses disposable household income, adjusted (or equivalised) for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living.
	8. The figures are based on OECD equivalisation factors.
	9. Figures have been presented on a Before Housing Cost basis. For Before Housing Cost, housing costs (such as rent, water rates, mortgage interest payments, structural insurance payments and ground rent and service charges) are not deducted from income.
	10. Numbers of children have been rounded to the nearest 100,000 children, while proportions of children have been rounded to the nearest percentage point.

Unemployment

Susan Kramer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of children were born into  (a) workless households and  (b) relative poverty in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is not available.

Valuation Office: Databases

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Valuation Office Agency's electronic records project involves the digitisation of information on age, size and construction of domestic properties.

Jane Kennedy: The project involves the scanning of existing hard copy survey records held by the VOA, including those of domestic properties. More information about this project can be found on the VOA website at
	http://www.voa.gov.uk/news/press08/news_release _15_05_08.htm

Valuation Office: Databases

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the budget is for the Valuation Office Agency's electronic records project.

Jane Kennedy: A significant part of the cost of this project relates to services provided by external contractors, whose charges are commercially confidential.

Welfare Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many compensation payments for tax credit maladministration have been made in each quarter from April 2003 to April 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The circumstances in which HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will make compensation payments to its customers are explained in the Department's fact sheet C/FS 'Complaints and Putting Things Right' which is available at
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/factsheets/complaints-factsheet.pdf.
	The Department will pay compensation for reasonable costs incurred as a direct result of any mistakes or delays and to recognise worry and distress caused.
	For the number and value of compensation payments made in 2003-04, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers my predecessor gave the hon. Member for Northavon (Steve Webb) and to the then hon. Member for the former Hamilton, South constituency, Mr. Bill Tynan, on 20 July 2004,  Official Report, column 191W.
	For the number and value of compensation payments made in 2004-05, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers my predecessor gave him on 4 July 2005,  Official Report, columns 95-96W, 15 November 2005,  Official Report, column 1212W and 18 July 2006 , Official Report, columns 360-61W.
	Information for 2006-07 can be found in the answer I gave the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Julia Goldsworthy) on 23 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 2100 -01W.
	Quarterly information for 2007-08 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  2007-08 
			   Number 
			 April to June 2,369 
			 July to September 1,158 
			 October to December 2,896 
			 January to March 2,097 
		
	
	The information for 2007-08 differs from that published in answers that I gave the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne on 23 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 2100-01W and the hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander) on 31 March 2008: columns 675-76W. The Department started recording information about compensation payments made to its customers on a new database from the beginning of 2007-08. In finalising the details for 2007-08 HMRC identified that the bespoke query used to extract this information was producing inaccurate results. The total value of compensation paid by TCO to tax credits customers in 2007-08 was around 475,000.
	Monthly figures for 2003-04 are not available, and therefore the quarterly figures cannot be given for that year.

Welfare Tax Credits: Complaints

Jon Trickett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints his Department received on the tax credit system from residents in  (a) Wakefield District and  (b) Yorkshire and Humberside in the last year for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: The information is not available at constituency or regional level.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Better Off in Work Credit

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what timetable he has set for the pilots of the Better Off in Work Credit; when he plans to introduce the credit nationally; what budget has been set for administering the credit in each of the next three years; and what estimate he has made of the total value of the credit to recipients in each of the next three years.

Stephen Timms: As we stated in the Command Paper 'Ready for work: full employment in our generation', published on 13 December 2007, the new Better Off in Work Credit will be piloted from October 2008. If the pilot proves successful we will extend the scheme nationally in 2009.
	On 20 May 2008, I announced that Jobcentre Plus would pilot the new measure in all districts in the Yorkshire and Humberside region, a total of 59 Jobcentre Plus offices. We estimate that around 12,000 individuals would be eligible for the credit each year in the Yorkshire and Humberside region.
	Administrative costs will be dependent on the operational model currently being developed by Jobcentre Plus and will be met from within existing resources.
	The projected annual cost of the Better Off in Work Credit payments will be 31 million if rolled out nationally.

Child Support Agency: Telephone Services

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many telephone calls to the Child Support Agency were abandoned by  (a) agency staff and  (b) clients in each month since May 2005.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 5 June 2008:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many telephone calls to the Child Support Agency have been abandoned by (a) Agency staff and (b) clients in each month since May 2005.
	Information on the Agency's telephony performance is routinely published in Table 16 of the Child Support Agency Quarterly Summary of Statistics, the latest copy of which can be found in the House of Commons library or at the following link:
	www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/child_support/csa_quarterly_ mar08.asp.
	The attached table shows the diminishing number of telephone calls abandoned by clients in each month since May 2005. The first column of the table shows calls abandoned by the client during the automated Interactive Voice Response (IVR) process (for example, where the client does not have a National Insurance number to hand and hangs up to obtain it before calling back). In the year to March 2008 eight percent of calls were abandoned by the client at this stage.
	The second column of the table includes all abandoned calls from clients with cases managed on the old system (CSCS) which are not routed through the automated Interactive Voice Response process. It also includes calls relating to cases managed on the new system (CS2) abandoned by the client following the Interactive Voice Response process when their call is in a queue waiting to be answered by the Agency. In the year to March 2008, just one percent of clients abandoned the call at this stage. Once in a queue on either the old or new system, it is not possible for the Agency to abandon a call from a client, neither can the Agency abandon a call during the automated Interactive Voice Response process.
	The Agency has shown a significant and sustained improvement in telephony performance since the introduction of the Operational Improvement Plan. In the year ending March 2008 the Agency received a total of 5,369,000 calls from clients. Agency people answered 98% of telephone calls available to be answered, with an average waiting time of just 20 seconds.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.
	
		
			  Telephone calls to Child Support Agency abandoned by clients May 2005 to March 2008 
			  Month  Calls abandoned/lost during the IVR process  Calls abandoned in the queue (overall Agency) 
			 May 2005 24,038 35,058 
			 June 2005 16,593 39,613 
			 July 2005 19,288 37,882 
			 August 2005 22,668 35,946 
			 September 2005 26,488 59,598 
			 October 2005 29,357 37,851 
			 November 2005 30,355 26,934 
			 December 2005 22,237 15,440 
			 January 2006 29,841 24,171 
			 February 2006 27,569 8,706 
			 March 2006 33,394 26,824 
			 April 2006 24,442 10,910 
			 May 2006 27,620 11,734 
			 June 2006 32,014 7,259 
			 July 2006 30,288 9,515 
			 August 2006 27,274 9,898 
			 September 2006 30,100 19,838 
			 October 2006 34,508 14,910 
			 November 2006 34,746 4,865 
			 December 2006 23,193 3,557 
			 January 2007 35,402 8,357 
			 February 2007 32,031 5,903 
			 March 2007 34,505 9,114 
			 April 2007 28,056 6,727 
			 May 2007 30,719 6,650 
			 June 2007 31,076 8,163 
			 July 2007 34,054 9,311 
			 August 2007 29,490 6,173 
			 September 2007 29,511 5,138 
			 October 2007 32,818 5,931 
			 November 2007 31,464 5,726 
			 December 2007 20,065 4,046 
			 January 2008 33,804 6,246 
			 February 2008 34,176 6,059 
			 March 2008 28,983 6,077 
			 1. The first column includes new system (CS2) telephone calls abandoned during the Agency's Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system as the telephony system gathers information to route the call through to the relevant team. 2. There is no IVR process for old scheme telephone calls. Calls are classified as abandoned if the client terminates the call before the Agency member of staff is able to respond. 3. The second column shows telephony outcomes for calls relating to cases on both the new system (CS2) and old system (CSCS).

Compensation: Disabled People

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements are in place to ensure that claimants awarded a compensatory payment for errors made by his Department are  (a) notified to and  (b) agreed with the claimant before payment is made; and what consideration is made of the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 during this process.

Anne McGuire: The DWP is committed to meeting the needs of disabled people. We aim to go further than the legal requirements, and intend the Department to set a leading example to other organisations.
	The Department is focused on providing high standards of customer service, and seeks to provide rapid and satisfactory resolution of any customer complaints. In the event that agency error or delay may have an adverse effect on a customer, the Department operates a discretionary scheme providing financial redress. Under these arrangements a special payment can be made to compensate for the impact of any error on the customer.
	Support from staff is available where needed but special payments are considered and awards made without the need for the customer to complete any documentation.
	Notification of a special payment is sent to customers, and they are given the opportunity to discuss this if they are dissatisfied with the award. When it is known that a customer has a specific communication barrier, we will ensure that our written information is accessible by producing our correspondence in a different format as appropriate. When the use of written communication may not be suitable or available for a customer, customers will be offered an appropriate alternative.

Departmental Press Releases

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's procedure is for publishing announcements on  (a) the publication of departmental research reports and  (b) departmental policy.

Anne McGuire: The publication of the Department's research reports are usually announced by way of a press release. These are placed on the Department's website and copied to subscribers.
	The majority of our reports will also be announced by way of a factual analytical press notice. Analytical press notices are routinely issued with most research reports produced by the Department to announce their publication including highlighting the key findings of the report. When the report is considered to be of significant public interest, a ministerial press notice may also be issued.
	DWP does not have a discrete procedure for announcing departmental policy. Ministers follow the principles contained in section 9 of the ministerial code that major policy announcements should be given to Parliament before being announced in the media.

Departmental Press Releases

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what criteria his Department uses to decide what information it should publish with a press release.

Anne McGuire: The Department releases four main types of press notices in the course of its routine business.
	Analytical press notices are issued routinely alongside most research reports produced by the Department to announce their publication.
	Statistical releases set out key figures and are issued in conjunction with the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
	Ministerial press notices are issued when there is likely to be a significant public interest in an issuefor example, the launch of a new policy.
	Operational press notices are issued, where appropriate, in relation to operational and delivery issues, for example to invite media to attend events organised by the Department such as the opening of a new Jobcentre Plus office.

Departmental Press Releases

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what date and at what time his Department's press releases on DWP research report  (a) 472,  (b) 481,  (c) 486 and  (d) 467 were first released; to whom each release was circulated; and when each release was uploaded on to the departmental website.

Anne McGuire: The analytical press releases for each of the four research reports were released on Wednesday 7 May 2008 at 1.30 pm. In line with standard practice for analytical releases, all four were published on the DWP internet site.

Departmental Publications

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the reasons are for the time taken to publish the  (a) family resources survey,  (b) households below average income and  (c) pensioners income series; and when he expects each to be published.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Secretary of State gave to him by letter on 28 April 2008.

Fabian Society

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the speech he made on Tuesday 6 May 2008 to the Fabian Society was made in a ministerial capacity.

James Purnell: The Fabian Society invited the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to speak at its spring lecture event on the Department's role in fulfilling the Government's child poverty reduction commitments. The speech covered both political and departmental issues.

Housing Benefit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the annual savings resulting from the reduction in backdating facilities for housing benefit and council tax benefit; and how such savings will be allocated.

James Plaskitt: The changes to backdating for housing benefit and council tax benefit are part of a package of measures, rather than an individual change. Taken together, these changes will simplify and improve the claims process for pensioners by allowing claims for up to four benefits to be dealt with in a single telephone call, extending the period pension credit recipients can spend abroad without losing benefit and introducing indefinite assessed income periods for pension credit recipients aged 80 or over. Savings from the backdating changes will go towards the additional take-up that will result from the other changes in the package.
	The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Estimated savings from proposed changes to housing benefit and council tax benefit backdating 
			million, 2007-08 prices 
			 2008 35 
			 2009 70 
			 2010 70 
			 2015 70 
			 2020 65 
			  Notes: 1. Estimates have been rounded to the nearest 5 million 2. Figures relate to financial years. 3. Estimated savings are consistent with the 2008 Budget settlement but they are based on a set of assumptions and are subject to change as new data become available. 4. Estimates are based on a single data extract. The backdating variable within the extract was introduced relatively recently, which means that we have no way of corroborating the robustness of the data. 5. Estimated savings from the housing benefit/council tax benefit backdating measure have been projected forward from 2011 in line with the growth in the long-run forecast of expenditure on housing benefit and council tax benefit.  Source: Single HB extract from local authority computer systems

In Work Emergency Fund

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many individuals received a payment from the  (a) in work emergency fund and  (b) in work emergency fund for lone parents in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available, broken down by (i) region and (ii) local authority area;
	(2)  how many individuals have received a payment from the in work emergency fund in each year since its inception; what the total amount of payment made by the fund was in each such year; what the cost of administering the fund was in each such year; and what the average administrative cost per payment was in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: Only lone parents are eligible to claim in work emergency fund (IWEF) payments. Since 28 April 2008, the IWEF has been replaced by the In Work Emergency Discretion Fund, which is available to lone parents nationally and to couple parents in New Deal Plus pilot areas.
	In the 12 months from April 2007 to March 2008, 360 lone parents received IWEF payments.
	Available figures on IWEF payments cannot be broken down by region and local authority area.
	Information on the number of lone parents who received IWEF payments in each year since its inception, and the total amount of payments made, is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of lone parents receiving IWEF  Total payment () 
			 October 2004 to March 2005 80 16,000 
			 April 2005 to March 2006 240 49,200 
			 April 2006 to March 2007 200 53,100 
			 April 2007 to March 2008 360 97,100 
			 Total 860 215,500 
			  Notes:  1. Payments are rounded to the nearest 100. 2. If more than one payment was made to a lone parent, the date of the first payment has been used and the total of the payments recorded.   Source:  Resource Management database. 
		
	
	The average administrative cost per payment in the most recent period (2007-08) where figures are available is 14.34. This figure includes all staff and non-staff costs, IT and Estates overheads. In 200708, 400 payments were made which, combined with the average cost of 14.34, gives a total administration figure of 5,736(1). Administrative costs per payment for earlier years are not available.
	(1) The figures for the payments made and costs of administration do not come from the same data source. Therefore slight inconsistencies may exist in the data. The figures given are indications rather than actuals.

New Statesman

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the article written for the  New Statesman of 8 May 2008 was written in an official capacity.

James Purnell: The article in question was written from a political perspective.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many incidents of benefit fraud relating to each type of benefit were reported to the Benefit Fraud Hotline in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: Information is not available broken down by benefit type. The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Benefit Fraud Hotline reports by type, Great Britain 
			  Method of reporting  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Phone to National Benefit Fraud Hotline 153,176 150,083 149,991 155,095 163,682 
			 Internet and written 60,054 38,504 65,367 79,825 76,659 
			  Source:  National Benefit Fraud Hotline.

Staff Turnover

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the staff turnover of each business unit located in Fylde was in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  what the staff turnover rate was for administrative officers working in  (a) Warbreck Hill Call Centre,  (b) Shared Services Warbreck Hill and  (c) the Child Support Agency at Peel Hill in the latest period for which figures are available.

Anne McGuire: The staff turnover for each business unit located in the Fylde for the 12-month period from 30 April 2007 to 30 April 2008 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Business name  Turnover (percentage) 
			 Child Support AgencyFylde 9.5 
			 Corporate and Shared ServicesFylde 3.7 
			 Disability and Carers ServiceFylde 3.4 
			 Jobcentre PlusFylde 4.4 
			 The Pensions ServiceFylde 8.7 
			 Overall DWPFylde 4.3 
		
	
	The staff turnover rate for administrative officers working in  (a) Warbreck Hill Call Centre  (b) Shared Services Warbreck Hill and  (c) The Child Support Agency at Peel Hill are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Location  Business  Building  AO turnover (percentage) 
			  (a) Warbreck Hill Call Centre Disability and Carers Service Warbreck House 4.2 
			  (b) Warbreck Hill Shared Services Warbreck House (1) 
			  (c) Peel Hill Child Support Agency Peel Park (2) 
			 (1) Not applicable, no AOs employed. (2) Child Support Agency staff presence at Peel Park commenced February 2008. 12 month turnover rate not yet available.  Note: The Department calculates turnover by dividing the number of permanent staff (includes fixed term appointments of over 12 months) who leave in a 12 month period, by the average number of staff employed in the same period (calculated as a mean figure using the number of staff at the start and end of the period).

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Belarus: Human Rights

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Belarus, with particular reference to protection for Christian human rights activists and politicians; what recent representations he has made on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The Government continue to have serious concerns about the lack of respect for human rights in Belarus, including the curtailment of religious freedom, and monitor the situation closely. The Government's assessment of the situation in Belarus can be found in our latest annual Human Rights report, available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website at
	www.fco.gov.uk.
	The Government regularly raise concerns about the harsh treatment of civil society groups, including faith groups, and human rights violations in general. We work closely with our EU partners and the US to raise these concerns and maintain effective pressure for improvement. Recent representations include statements issued by the EU on 29 April criticising recent regime actions, and on 8 May in the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Council. Both documents are available on the website of the current Slovene European presidency at
	www.eu2008.si/en.

Bombs

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the Government plan to seek exemptions from the convention on cluster munitions at the Dublin Diplomatic Conference.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 2 June 2008
	On 28 May my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced the Government's support for a ban on cluster munitions, including UK munitions currently in service. This step confirmed the Government's commitment to address the humanitarian concerns that cluster munitions raise. We are pleased to be able to support the draft convention on cluster munitions that was adopted in Dublin on 30 May. We believe that the future convention will put in place an effective framework not only to prevent civilian casualties, but to provide for international co-operation and clearance that will facilitate clearance of contaminated areas and care for victims of cluster munitions.

Burma: Political Prisoners

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has taken to seek to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners in Burma.

Meg Munn: On 27 May, the Burmese regime decided to extend Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest for a further 12 months. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made a public statement on 27 May expressing his sadness that the Burmese Government had extended Aung San Suu Kyi's detention. He also said that while our immediate focus is on relieving the suffering caused by the recent cyclone, restoration of democracy in Burma is still vital for that country's long-term future. He urged the Burmese Government to release Aung San Suu Kyi and allow her to play her rightful role in the process of genuine national reconciliation. On 29 May, the EU presidency issued a statement which strongly deplored the decision to renew Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest.
	The member states of the EU continue to call for the release of opposition political figures. Measures adopted under the EU Common Position remain in place to underpin pressure on the regime to move to an inclusive democratic system of governance. In a President's Statement last month, the UN Security Council reaffirmed its call last October for the release of political prisoners in Burma.

Caribbean: Royal Visits

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Government officials accompanied HRH the Prince of Wales on his official visit to the Caribbean in March 2008; what  (a) travel and  (b) accommodation costs incurred in respect of officials were met from public funds; and what costs were met by (i) his Department, (ii) the Department for Transport and (iii) another source.

Meg Munn: No Government officials accompanied His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales on his official visit to the Caribbean. Between three and 14 members of our respective high commission/governor's office participated in the visit locally.
	Accounts for the visit have not been finalised. I will write to my hon. Friend with the travel and accommodation costs incurred by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as soon as they are available, and will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.
	Air and sea travel costs for the royal party were met by the royal travel grant in aid, provided by the Department for Transport. The funding of official travel by members of the Royal Family is administered by the royal travel office in Her Majesty the Queen's household. Travel costs will be published in the royal grant in aid annual report, which will be published later this year.

Departmental Pay

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was paid in end-of-year performance bonuses to  (a) all staff and  (b) staff at senior civil service level in (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies in the 2007-08 financial year; and how many payments were made.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not yet determined variable pay (bonus) awards for its UK civil servants based on appraisal of performance during the 2007-08 financial year.
	The level of variable and base pay awards for staff in the delegated grades (all grades below senior management) for performance in 2007-08 will depend on the outcome of negotiations, currently under way, on a new three-year reward settlement for the period 2008-11.
	Annual variable pay awards for staff in the senior management structure/senior civil service reflect the extent to which staff have achieved their objectives and how they have achieved them. The framework for determining base and variable pay awards for senior staff in the civil service is set centrally by the Government in response to the annual findings of the Senior Salaries Review Body. The FCO pay committees, which determine individual awards within this framework, are due to complete their recommendations by early July.

Departmental Recruitment

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people were recruited to his Department under the Diplomatic Fast Stream programme in each of the last 10 years.

David Miliband: Since 2000, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has recruited the following numbers of people under the Fast Stream programme:
	
		
			  Number of people recruited to the FCO under the Diplomatic Fast Stream programme 
			   Number 
			 2000 34 
			 2001 30 
			 2002 33 
			 2003 33 
			 2004 21 
			 2005 24 
			 2006 26 
			 2007 28 
		
	
	The FCO does not hold information on Fast Stream recruitment prior to 2000 and this information cannot be obtained without the incurring of disproportionate cost.
	As the FCO's Fast Stream Final Selection Boards for 2008 will not be completed until mid-June, the number of successful candidates is not yet available.

Departmental Recruitment

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people recruited to his Department in the last financial year were aged  (a) 20 to 30,  (b) 31 to 40,  (c) 41 to 50 and  (d) 51 to 60.

David Miliband: The following table provides a breakdown of permanent recruits to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and FCO Servicesa Trading Fund of the FCOin the age groups specified during the 2007-08 financial year.
	
		
			  Age group  Number recruited to the FCO in the 2007-08 financial year  Number recruited to FCO services in the 2007-08 financial year 
			 20 to 30 153 5 
			 31 to 40 19 11 
			 41 to 50 12 15 
			 51 to 60 4 5

Indonesia: Politics and Government

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indonesian Government to encourage them to prevent violence directed at the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Indonesia.

Meg Munn: We are aware that the Indonesian Government are currently considering a recommendation from a governmental advisory body that a ban should be imposed on Ahmadiyya. Anti-Ahmadiyya demonstrations have taken place in different parts of Indonesia, and several mosques have been damaged.
	Our ambassador in Jakarta raised UK concerns about the possible ban with the Indonesian authorities on 28 April 2008. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials in London have also met representatives from the UK Ahmadiyya Association to hear their concerns. At the UN Human Rights Council examination of Indonesia under the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva on 9 April, the UK raised concerns about the treatment of the Ahmadiyya community. We are also discussing the issue with our EU partners.
	We will continue to monitor the situation closely and continue to raise the issue of respect for religious freedom with the Indonesian authorities.

Iran: Prisoners

David Lepper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Iran on the arrest on 14 May and the detention in Evin prison of Fabriba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afifi Naeimi, Saied Rezaie, Behrouz Tavakki and Vahid Tifzah, all of whom co-ordinate the activities of the Baha'i community in Iran; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We are deeply concerned by the arrests of the informal Baha'i leadership in Tehran on 14 May and the ongoing persecution of the Baha'i community in Iran. We remain committed to pressing the Government of Iran to address their poor human rights record, including by protecting the right to religious freedom and ending the discrimination of the Baha'is in Iran. Following a recommendation by the UK, the EU issued a public declaration on 21 May which expressed
	serious concern about the continuing systematic discrimination and harassment of the Iranian Baha'is on the grounds of their religion
	and called for the release of the detained individuals. We will continue to raise this issue with the Iranian authorities.

Iran: Prisoners

David Lepper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Iran on the detention since 5 March of Mrs Mahuash Sabet, an Iranian Baha'i first held in Mashud and subsequently in Evin prison; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We remain deeply concerned about the treatment of the Baha'i community in Iran and the recent arrests of the Baha'i leadership in particular. We have not specifically raised Mrs. Sabet's detention with the Iranian authorities, but we regularly raise our concerns about the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran with the Iranian authorities bilaterally and through the EU. I raised UK concerns about the treatment of the Baha'is in a meeting with the Iranian ambassador on 1 April, and the EU has raised concerns at least four times this year in meetings with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and through public declarations. Most recently, on 21 May, the EU issued a public statement urging Iran to respect religious freedoms, end the persecution of the Baha'is and release the detained Baha'i leaders. We will make representations for the Baha'is situation, including Mrs. Sabet's case, to be included in the next EU human rights dmarche.

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the performance of the right hon. Tony Blair in his capacity as middle east peace envoy against his objectives; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The right hon. Tony Blair is making a valuable contribution to the peace process. Despite the difficulties, the Quartet, and Mr. Blair as its representative, play a significant role in supporting the Annapolis process.

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanism exists to  (a) brief the right hon. Tony Blair and  (b) receive reports from the right hon. Tony Blair in respect of his activities as Middle East peace envoy; and on how many occasions each has occurred to date.

Kim Howells: The right hon. Tony Blair reports to the Quartet on and when required by it. There is no formal mechanism or requirement for him to report to or be briefed by the Government, but we stay in close touch with him and his team.

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been allocated to the right hon. Tony Blair's activities as middle east peace envoy; on what date this funding was agreed; what further expenditure is anticipated; and over what period.

Kim Howells: The UK has provided 400,000 to a UN Development Programme Trust Fund which gives support to the Quartet representative. These funds were allocated in September 2007. In addition, the Government have seconded four staff to his team for whom the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development continue to fund salaries and allowances. No decision has been made on future UK contribution.

Treaty of Lisbon

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on posts and institutions created by the Treaty of Lisbon; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has regular contact with all our EU partners and with the EU institutions on a variety of issues.
	As set out in my letters of 22 April to the chairs of the Commons European Scrutiny Committee and the Lords EU Select Committee, technical-level discussions to prepare for implementation have begun. While it is only sensible to ensure that the EU is ready to implement the treatyif all countries have ratified itwe have made it clear to, and agreed with, our EU partners that no final decisions can be taken until ratification is confirmed.

Whales

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps UK embassies have been taking to encourage  (a) foreign Governments to join the International Whaling Commission to support the international moratorium on commercial whaling and  (b) existing International Whaling Commission members to support the international moratorium on commercial whaling; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has instructed our embassies and high commissions to lobby certain Governments to join the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in support of the moratorium on commercial whaling and to encourage attendance at the annual IWC meeting. A key component of the lobbying campaign is the updated publication by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Protecting Whalesa global responsibility, which was delivered to Governments with a covering letter from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
	Since last year's IWC meeting, Uruguay and Romania have joined the IWC as anti-whaling countries and Nicaragua has regained its voting rights.
	Our embassies and high commissions have also been instructed to lobby certain existing IWC members with a view to maximising support for the moratorium at the Plenary Session of the Annual Meeting of the IWC, which will be held in Santiago between 23 and 27 June 2008.

HEALTH

Abortions

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women in England and Wales had had  (a) one,  (b) two,  (c) three,  (d) four,  (e) five,  (f) six,  (g) seven and  (h) eight or more abortions at the most recent date for which figures are available.

Dawn Primarolo: The available information is shown in the following table, which is from the Abortion Statistics, England and Wales: 2006. Copies of this publication have been placed in the Library.
	
		
			  Legal abortions: number of previous abortions by age( 1) , 2006: England and Wales, residents 
			  Number of previous abortions  Total  Under 18  18-24  25-29  30+ 
			 0 131,833 17,173 57,000 28,222 29,438 
			 1 47,156 1,341 17,047 13,697 15,071 
			 2 10,944 82 3,147 3,540 4,175 
			 3 2,501 (2) (2) 826 1,128 
			 4 947 (2) (2) 300 412 
			 5 192 (2) (2) 65 108 
			 6 110 (2) (2) (2) 53 
			 7 or more 54 (2) (2) (2) 33 
			 Total 193,737 18,619 78,007 46,693 50,418 
			 (1 )Age not stated have been distributed pro-rata across age group 20-24. (2 )Values are suppressed where totals are less than 10 (0-9) or where a presented total would reveal the suppressed value.

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much  (a) direct Government and  (b) Lottery funding was allocated to (i) awareness programmes and (ii) rehabilitation services for (A) alcohol addiction and (B) addiction to illegal drugs in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: We have financial information on direct Government alcohol expenditure from 2002-03. Figures for previous years were held on a financial system, which is no longer accessible.
	
		
			  Alcohol awareness raising 
			   million 
			   Department of Health  Home Office 
			 2000-01   
			 2001-02   
			 2002-03 0.10  
			 2003-04 0.05  
			 2004-05 0.34  
			 2005-06 0.06  
			 2006-07 1.9 2.0 
			 2007-08 1.3 3.5 
			 2008-09 (1)6.0 (1)4.0 
			 (1) Planned 
		
	
	No direct Government funding was allocated to rehabilitation services for alcohol addiction. National health service primary care trusts and local social services authorities are responsible for commissioning these services.
	With regard to illegal drugs the FRANK information campaign was launched in May 2003 and provides young people and their families with advice and information about illegal drugs.
	This campaign is jointly funded by the Department of Health, the Home Office, and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The total joint annual funding for the FRANK campaign are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Funding ( million) 
			 2003-04 4.25 
			 2004-05 4.30 
			 2005-06 6.17 
			 2006-07 9.05 
			 2007-08 6.13 
			 2008-09 5.35 
		
	
	Prior to the FRANK campaign the former Health Education Authority ran the National Drugs Helpline from 1996 to 2002. Funding figures for these years are not available.
	There was no direct Government funding for rehabilitation services prior to 2001-02. Health authorities were expected to fund drug treatment services, including rehabilitation services, from their existing budgets.
	Since 2001-02, the Department of Health and the Home Office have provided specific resources for drug treatment in the form of the pooled drug treatment budget (PTB). There are no separate allocations for rehabilitation services.
	The PTB is allocated to the 149 drug action teams across the country to use, along with local mainstream funding, to provide treatment and services according to specific local needs. The following table gives details of the PTB since 2001-02.
	
		
			   PTB ( million) 
			 2001-02 142 
			 2002-03 191 
			 2003-04 236 
			 2004-05 253 
			 2005-06 300 
			 2006-07 385 
			 2007-08 398 
			 2008-09 398 
		
	
	Concerning lottery funding, although the Big Lottery Fund has supported projects in the fields of drug and alcohol abuse, information in the form requested is not held centrally.

Benzodiazepines: Misuse

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance the Chief Medical Officer has issued to doctors and other medical practitioners on benzodiazepine withdrawal.

Dawn Primarolo: In January 2004, following concerns about continued reports of problems with long-term use of benzodiazepines, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) issued a reminder that benzodiazepines should only be prescribed for short-term treatment in his newsletter CMO Update. The most recent publication of relevance from the Department of Health was CMO Update 37 of 9 February 2007 which reminded all doctors in England about safe prescribing of benzodiazepines. This publication is available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersand circulars/CMOupdate/DH_4070172

Care Homes: Fees and Charges

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to consult on proposals for changes to the Care Home Charging Regulations and the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide.

Ivan Lewis: The Department will undertake public consultation in 2008 on the recommendations of a group of key stakeholders on changes to the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide (CRAG). These consultations will be in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance, allowing 12 weeks for comments to be submitted. Any changes agreed by Ministers will be implemented at an appropriate date after the end of the consultation.
	From 2007, the Department has not consulted on the uprating of items in the regulations and CRAG, such as the capital limits and personal expenses allowance, where any such changes are simply being uprated using the formula applied in previous years. However, consultation will take place if there are other proposed changes.

Dementia: Research

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 1 May 2008,  Official Report, column 619W, on dementia research funding, how  (a) the 18.3 million of funding from his Department and  (b) the 6 million Medical Research Council funding for 2006 was spent.

Dawn Primarolo: The main part of the Department's expenditure on dementia research in 2005-06 (some 16.5 million) was spent by national health service providers from the allocations made to them for research and development to meet NHS priorities and needs and the costs to the NHS of hosting research supported by external funders. Details of individual NHS supported research projects undertaken during that time are available on the archived national research register at:
	https://portal.nihr.ac.uk/Pages/NRRArchiveSearch.aspx.
	The balance was spent on projects commissioned by the Department's Health Technology Assessment, Service Delivery and Organisation, and Policy Research Programmes; and on the first year costs of the Dementias and Neurodegenerative Disease Research Network.
	The total Medical Research Council (MRC) expenditure in 2005-06 was devoted to 38 grants and programmes in MRC units and institutes,

Departmental Computers

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has issued guidance to staff in his Department to switch off personal computers when not in use; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has a policy of encouraging staff to switch off all electrical equipment when not in use, including personal computers. The issue has been highlighted at a number of staff awareness events, and all e-mails sent by staff in our Information Services Directorate have the strapline Save energy - shut down your PC and turn off your monitor every night.
	All our current information technology (IT) equipment conforms to the current 'Quick Wins', specification for power management. 'Quick Wins' are a set of mandatory minimum environmental standards for the procurement of a variety of goods, including IT equipment. Looking to the future, the Department is developing a green IT strategy which will include a commitment to review our power management arrangements and systems.

Dietary Supplements: EU Law

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in negotiations on maximum permitted levels for nutrients under the Food Supplements Directive; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The European Commission (EC) has indicated its intention for proposals in the form of draft amending legislation to go forward to the Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) for consideration in early 2009.
	To inform its proposals, the EC has to date held two working group meetings with Member states, the last on 17 December 2007. The EC's principal aim for these meetings was to obtain member states' initial views on an orientation paper it had issued in the summer of 2007.
	We have been advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that general discussions in the meetings revealed that whilst member states support the broad objective of setting maximum levels on the basis of safety and science, many are yet to establish a position. In these initial meetings the FSA has promoted the use of scientific evidence in establishing maximum levels.

Disabled: Medical Equipment

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether installation and personal advice will be part of any extension of home delivery of disability equipment under the Transforming Community Equipment programme; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The installation and personal advice provided as part of community equipment home delivery services are included in the Transforming Community Equipment Programme.
	Local authority and health partnerships will continue in their statutory duty to meet the needs of those individuals who require state support. Retailers will continue to offer a range of services, including installation and personal advice, to those who self fund.

Incontinence: Children

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what guidance he issues to primary care trusts on working with local authorities on joined-up services for children with continence issues;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the capacity of children's continence services.

Ivan Lewis: The National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services (The NSF) included guidance on the importance of joined up continence services for children and young people. We have not made any formal estimate nationally of the capacity of children's continence service. Copies of the NSF are available in the Library.

Methamphetamine: Misuse

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people were treated for addiction to methamphetamine in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of users of methamphetamine in England; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Methamphetamine is part of the amphetamine family and is commonly known as crystal meth or ice, its chemical name is methylamphetamine. Although the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) does collects data on people in structured drug treatment for amphetamine misuse, these data are not broken down further into the different types of amphetamine.
	In 2005, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) used NDTMS data in their review of methylamphetamine, Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Methylamphetamine Review. The ACMD review reported that
	very few drug users applying for treatment were reporting methylamphetamine as either their primary drug or as a secondary drug
	of use.

MMR Vaccine

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 28 February 2008,  Official Report, column 1886W, on vaccines, 
	(1)  how many doses of the differently labelled MMR vaccines were  (a) supplied and  (b) distributed, broken down by financial year;.
	(2)  in what way the labelling on the MMR vaccines not destined for the UK differed from the UK-licensed product;
	(3)  on what dates the differently labelled MMR vaccines were supplied;
	(4)  on what date further supplies of UK-licensed MMR vaccine were received, allowing the wrongly-labelled vaccines to be written off.

Dawn Primarolo: 19,999 doses of United States (US) MMRII and 96,998 doses of Portuguese MMRII were supplied to the Department between May and June 2005. Of these, 16,879 doses of US MMRII and 4,244 doses of Portuguese MMRII were distributed. The labelling of these measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines was consistent with the licensing requirements of the countries for which they were originally destined. Scanned images of the packaging of these products and the packaging of a United Kingdom-licensed product supplied by the same company have been placed in the Library.
	Further supplies of the UK-licensed MMR vaccine were received in June 2005.

Nanotechnology: Clothing

Mohammad Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the effect on public health of the use of nanotubes in clothing materials.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department has not made any specific assessment of the effect on public health of the use of nanotubes in clothing materials.
	To work properly, nanotubes must be tightly bound within a matrix and are very unlikely to be released as free particles. Exposure to free particles is most likely to take place during manufacture, unless appropriate occupational hygiene measures are taken. The expert advice provided to Government is that public exposure to free nanotubes is negligible.

NHS: Drugs

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to his Department's publication Pharmacy in England: Building on Strengths - Delivering the Future, Cm 7341, how the new Expert Panel on Health Services Research in Pharmacy will assess the longer term effect of medicines use reviews on compliance with prescribed medicines.

Dawn Primarolo: Once it has been set up, we expect the Expert Panel on Health Services Research in Pharmacy to consider the longer term impact of medicines use reviews on compliance with prescribed medicines as part of its wider remit to advise on future priorities for health service research in pharmacy.

NHS: Drugs

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  with reference to his Department's publication Pharmacy in England: Building on StrengthsDelivering the Future, Cm 7341, how the Government plans to make stronger provision for primary care trusts to prioritise medicines use reviews to meet their health priorities locally and to monitor service delivery more effectively;
	(2)  with reference to his Department's publication Pharmacy in England: Building on StrengthsDelivering the Future, Cm 7341, how the Government will change the funding structure for medicines use review to ensure that the service delivers to those who will benefit most.

Dawn Primarolo: We have asked NHS Employers to discuss with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee what mechanisms might be put in place to enable medicines use review services to be prioritised to better meet local health needs and monitored more effectively, as well as how the funding structure can ensure that these services are being delivered to those who might best benefit, while rewarding the health outcomes achieved.

NHS: Drugs

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to his Department's publication Pharmacy in England: Building on StrengthsDelivering the Future, Cm 7341, how the Government plans to encourage joint working between prescribers and dispensers to increase repeat dispensing.

Dawn Primarolo: We have asked NHS Employers to convene and lead a working group of pharmacy, medical and public representatives to formulate a series of actions to promote more effective professional relationships and, as part of this, identify and agree mechanisms that can support further incremental implementation of repeat dispensing.

NHS: Drugs

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  with reference to his Department's publication Pharmacy in England: Building on Strengths - Delivering the Future, Cm 7341, what estimate he has made of the cost of supplying alarms and medicines administration charts to patients who would otherwise not take their medicines;
	(2)  what discussions on appropriate measures will be carried out with interested parties on the subject of adherence to medicines, as stated in paragraph 3.26 of the Pharmacy in England: Building on Strengths - Delivering the Future White Paper, Cm 7341; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Pharmacy in England: Building on Strengths - Delivering the Future, Cm 7341, recognises that further work is needed to strengthen the commissioning of services to support patients' adherence to medicines. We will therefore be holding discussions on the most appropriate way forward in partnership with interested parties.
	No estimates have been made of the cost of supplying alarms and medicines administration charts to patients to support adherence to medicines.

NHS: Drugs

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how pharmacy should take steps to ensure that it develops robust interfaces between other providers of urgent care services such as general practice, community hospitals and out-of-hours service providers, as suggested in the Pharmacy in England: Building on Strengths - Delivering the Future White Paper, Cm 7341.

Dawn Primarolo: It is for primary care trusts, as planners and commissioners of urgent care services, and pharmacy itself to ensure that pharmacy plays a key role in providing integrated urgent care services that best meet the needs and wishes of local communities.

NHS: Drugs

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monthly targets his Department expects pharmacists to meet; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: No monthly targets have been set. Community pharmacy contractors are required to deliver services according to their terms of service under the National Health Service (pharmaceutical services) Regulations 2005 and other relevant legislation. It is for primary care trusts to monitor their performance.

NHS: Expenditure

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the public expenditure per capita on  (a) primary care,  (b) emergency care and  (c) NHS dental provision in each trust in London was in each year since 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested is available for the years 2000-01 to 2006-07 and copies have been placed in the Library. Information has been provided by previous and current primary care trusts within the London area.

Nurses: Car Allowances

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the adequacy of the mileage allowance for district nurses.

Ann Keen: Representations have been made to the NHS Staff Council managed by NHS Employers. The NHS Staff Council is working towards a resolution.

Palliative Care

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to NHS hospitals on provision of support to patients who are dying and their families.

Ivan Lewis: In 2004, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence issued guidance on Improving the provision of supportive and palliative care for adults with cancer. This key document includes specific recommendations about the care provided by all healthcare staff for the dying, including specialist support for those patients and families with complex problems at the end of life. While this guidance is oriented towards cancer, many of the principles and recommendations apply equally to other conditions.
	Through the End of Life Care Programme, we have invested 12 million to support the rollout of end of life care tools such as the gold standards framework, the Liverpool Care Pathway and the preferred place of care. By December 2007, 85 per cent. of all national health service hospitals had implemented one or more tools on three or more wards.
	The Government are committed to improving care and people's choices at the end of life, regardless of their condition or their location. We are taking this work forward through the development of a national End of Life Care Strategy for adults, this country's first, which is due for publication in the summer. In addition, end of life care is also one of the eight pathways that strategic health authorities have been examining as part of their work on the NHS Next Stage Review.

Polyclinics: Greater London

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial assistance his Department has made available to primary care trusts in London to develop a polyclinic; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Primary care trusts (PCTs) in London will receive their share of the 120 million made available from 2009-10 to provide general practitioner-led health centres. The share will be based on the weighted capitation formula which has been reviewed for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 PCT allocations that will be announced this summer.

Prescription Drugs

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were prescribed  (a) anti-depressants,  (b) mood stabilisers,  (c) anti-psychotic drugs,  (d) major tranquillisers and  (e) minor tranquillisers in each year from 1990 to 2007.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department does not hold information on the number of people prescribed medicines.

Television

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many plasma television screens have been purchased by his Department and its agencies, and at what cost, in the last 24 months.

Ben Bradshaw: In the last 24 months the Department has bought 28 plasma television screens at a cost of 36,300. The Department's agencies bought one plasma television screen at a cost of 3,500.

JUSTICE

Children: Protection

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many Legal Services Commission family contract holders were undertaking special Children Act proceedings work in  (a) Berkshire,  (b) Cambridgeshire,  (c) Cumbria and  (d) Kent in (i) October 2005, (ii) October 2006 and (iii) October 2007;
	(2)  how much the Legal Services Commission spent on special Children Act proceedings in  (a) Berkshire,  (b) Cambridgeshire,  (c) Cumbria and  (d) Kent in (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07 and (iii) 2007-08.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is not available in the form requested. Information is available by financial year for LSC procurement areas covering similar geographical areas.
	
		
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Number of provider offices  Expenditure  ( million)  Number of provider offices  Expenditure  ( million)  Number of provider offices( 1)  Expenditure  ( million)( 2) 
			 Berkshire 30 3.1 25 3.0 29 n/a 
			 Cambridgeshire 35 3.2 33 3.5 29 n/a 
			 Cumbria 35 1.0 34 1.0 33 n/a 
			 Kent 80 4.3 54 4.9 56 n/a 
			 (1) The civil Unified Contract introduced in April 2007 brought all of a provider's offices under one contract and aligned not for profit organisations with solicitor firms. There are currently no not for profit organisations undertaking this work in these four areas. (2) Final expenditure figures for 2007-08 will not be available until July 2008. 
		
	
	The reductions in the number of contracts held both in civil and criminal law reflects the trend in the last several years of offices doing small amounts of legal aid work to drop out of the market or merge with other offices, so that the work is done in larger volumes at fewer offices. As the LSC continues to pursue higher quality legal services, the number of providers is reducing. Expenditure in Cambridgeshire and Kent has increased since 2005-06 and has been broadly stable in Berkshire and Cumbria.
	A provider with a family law contract may have offices in more than one procurement area or more than one office in the same procurement area. Information at this level can be provided only on the basis of individual office location, rather than the location of the provider's head office. Where providers carry out work is not necessarily an indication of where their office is located. The provider office numbers include all those with an active family contract who have done Special Children Act cases in each procurement area.
	The spend figures are on the basis of net payments authorised. The figures may include payments to providers who no longer have contracts but were completing ongoing cases or where work has been completed but the financial aspects of it have not yet been reconciled. Where counsel have been instructed by a solicitor, payments made for work done by counsel have been included in the totals for the procurement area where the lead solicitor is based. Payments to barristers may have been made either directly as family graduated fees, or indirectly for bills submitted by the solicitor.

Criminal Proceedings

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what discussions are taking place between the Legal Services Commission, the Bar Council and the Law Society on Very High Cost Case (VHCC) criminal cases in relation to  (a) the present VHCC contract of April 2008 and  (b) the next round of VHCC cases; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, and I have discussed the present Very High Cost Case contract with the Legal Services Commission, the Bar Council and the Law Society on a number of occasions. We have established a working group to make proposals for the next VHCC scheme. Representatives of the Legal Services Commission, the Bar Council, the Law Society, the Crown Prosecution Service and Ministry of Justice officials are members of that group.

Offenders: Rehabilitation

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the Breaking the Circle report of the review of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

David Hanson: The Government undertook a review of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act in 2002 and published the document 'Breaking the Circle' which set out proposals for reform of the Act. That paper made proposals for modifying disclosure periods for offences, and other changes to the operation of the Act. In 2003 the Government agreed that the proposals had merit and proposed to legislate when parliamentary time allowed. The position is now under review in the light of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, which was based on the recommendations of the Bichard report, and which makes changes to the disclosure regime for ex-offenders in many areas of employment.

Open Prisons: Prison Accommodation

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the capacity of the open prison estate is; and how many such places were occupied at the most recent date for which figures are available.

Jack Straw: As at 30 May 2008 (the latest date for which figures are available), the operational capacity of the open estate(1) was 5,138 and the total population was 4,869. The overall occupancy rate on this date was 95 per cent.
	(1 )This includes those establishments where the whole prison is designated as open conditions. (Some adult open prisons and women's open prisons have units which hold offenders under the age of 21.).

Road Traffic Offences

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when the Government plans to implement section 20 of the Road Safety Act 2006 regarding the offence of causing death by careless driving; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: We intend to implement the section 20 offence of causing death by careless driving together with the Section 21 offence of causing death by drivingunlicensed, disqualified or uninsuredfollowing the publication of sentencing guidelines by the Sentencing Guidelines Council. We anticipate that the guidelines will be published before the summer recess and we are currently considering possible implementation dates.

Town and Country Planning Act 1990

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) criminal prosecutions and  (b) civil actions were brought by (i) local authorities, (ii) the Crown and (iii) other parties against a person failing to comply with (A) a breach of condition notice under Section 187A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and (B) an enforcement notice under Section 179 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in each year since 1997; and how many such prosecutions resulted in (1) a criminal conviction and (2) a civil enforcement action.

Maria Eagle: Information on the number of criminal prosecutions and criminal convictions for the offences requested is provided in the following table.
	The figures given relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, the offence selected is the one for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	Information on the number of civil actions and civil penalties are not held centrally.
	
		
			  Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for offences under sections 179 and 187a of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, England and Wales 1997-2006( 1,2) 
			   Section 179: Non-compliance with enforcement notice  Section 187A: Failure to comply with breach of condition notice 
			   Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty 
			 1997 465 288 163 84 
			 1998 462 237 195 108 
			 1999 461 238 242 98 
			 2000 435 234 162 105 
			 2001 378 205 135 90 
			 2002 394 217 112 66 
			 2003 375 202 88 40 
			 2004 424 231 105 66 
			 2005 406 233 108 64 
			 2006 498 283 126 61 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis.  (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.   Source:  Court proceedings databaseOffice for Criminal Justice ReformMinistry of Justice.

Young Offenders: Prisoners Release

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many young offenders sentenced to immediate custody were released early from custody in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: Figures showing the numbers of 18 to 20-year-olds who were released under (i) home detention curfew and (ii) after recommendations by the Parole Board from all prison establishments in England and Wales between 2002 and 2006 can be found in the following table:
	
		
			   2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			  Early releases under home detention curfew  
			 Population within eligible sentence length band 8,822 8,688 8,196 7,940 7,802 
			 Released 3,543 3,546 3,127 2,667 2,034 
			 Release rate (Percentage) 40 41 38 34 26 
			   
			  Determinate sentence cases considered by the Parole Board  
			 Considered 230 200 260 280 300 
			 Released 120 90 120 150 90 
			 Parole rate (Percentage) 52 45 46 54 30 
		
	
	The early release figures under the home detention curfew scheme can be found in table 10.17 of Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2006, a copy of which can be found in the House of Commons Library, and which can be found at the following website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/prisonandprobation.htm
	Additionally, the end of custody licence scheme was introduced on 29 June 2007 and between then and 30 April there were 3,748 young offenders released under the scheme. This information is available at the website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/stats-ecl-0408.pdf
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Data on parole have been rounded to the nearest 10.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Airguns

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 31 March 2008,  Official Report, column 601W, on airguns, how many of the injuries which occurred in each of the last five years were  (a) serious and  (b) fatal injuries, broken down by (i) age of the victim, (ii) age of the perpetrator and (iii) police force area.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 15 May 2008
	 Available data, relating to age of the victim and police force area, are shown in the following tables. Information about suspects is not collected centrally.
	
		
			  Table A: Offences involving air weapons and BB guns/soft air weapons resulting in serious or fatal injury, by age of victim: England and Wales, 2002-03 to 2006-07 
			   2002-03( 1)  2003-04  2004-05( 2)  2005-06  2006-07 
			  Age of victim( 3)  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons( 4)  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons( 4)  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons 
			  Serious injury   
			 Under 5 years n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 5 and under 11 years n/a n/a n/a n/a 3 3 1 1 3 2 
			 11 and under 16 years n/a n/a n/a n/a 32 13 28 14 19 7 
			 16 and under 21 years n/a n/a n/a n/a 33 5 29 9 25 9 
			 21 and under 30 years n/a n/a n/a n/a 29 7 36 9 15 6 
			 30 and under 50 years n/a n/a n/a n/a 31 7 15 3 23 3 
			 50 and under 70 years n/a n/a n/a n/a 7 1 7 0 5 1 
			 70 years and over n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 2 1 0 
			 Unknown/not recorded 156 n/a 157 n/a 9 5 3 3 4 1 
			 Total 156 n/a 157 n/a 144 42 119 41 95 29 
			
			  Fatal injury   
			 Under 5 years n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 5 and under 11 years n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 1 0 0 
			 11 and under 16 years n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 1 0 1 0 
			 16 and under 21 years n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 21 and under 30 years n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 0 0 0 0 0 
			 30 and under 50 years n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0 1 0 
			 50 and under 70 years n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0 1 0 
			 70 years and over n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Unknown/not recorded 1 n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 1 n/a n/a n/a 1 0 1 0 3 0 
			 n/a = not available (1 )The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced on 1 April 2002. Figures for some crime categories may have been inflated by this. (2 )More explicit guidelines for the classification of weapons, introduced on 1 April 2004, may have increased the recording of firearm offences, particularly those committed by imitation weapons. (3 )The age of victims has been collected only since 1 April 2004. (4 )Data for BB guns/soft air weapons have been separately collected only since 1 April 2004. Prior to that they were included within the 'imitation weapons' total. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table B: Offences involving air weapons and BB guns/soft air weapons resulting in serious injury, by police force are a : England and Wales, 2002-03 to 2006-07 
			   2002-03( 1)  2003-04  2004-05( 2)  2005-06  2006-07 
			  Police force area  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons( 3)  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons( 3)  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons 
			 Avon and Somerset 0 n/a 0 n/a 16 16 5 7 5 1 
			 Bedfordshire 1 n/a 0 n/a 1 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Cambridgeshire 1 n/a 0 n/a 2 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Cheshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 3 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Cleveland 2 n/a 4 n/a 0 1 1 0 1 0 
			 Cumbria 2 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 1 0 2 0 
			 Derbyshire 3 n/a 1 n/a 3 0 3 1 2 0 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1 n/a 7 n/a 5 0 2 0 4 1 
			 Dorset 2 n/a 0 n/a 2 1 1 0 0 0 
			 Durham 1 n/a 0 n/a 2 0 0 1 0 0 
			 Dyfed Powys 0 n/a 1 n/a 0 0 1 0 1 0 
			 Essex 9 n/a 3 n/a 1 0 4 0 1 1 
			 Gloucestershire 2 n/a 0 n/a 2 0 0 0 0 1 
			 Gtr. Manchester 7 n/a 15 n/a 13 2 7 2 4 3 
			 Gwent 5 n/a 3 n/a 4 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Hampshire 2 n/a 8 n/a 4 1 6 1 1 0 
			 Hertfordshire 3 n/a 5 n/a 0 0 2 1 1 0 
			 Humberside 7 n/a 3 n/a 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Kent 3 n/a 4 n/a 8 1 2 3 4 1 
			 Lancashire 4 n/a 8 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Leicestershire 1 n/a 1 n/a 1 1 0 0 5 0 
			 Lincolnshire 3 n/a 1 n/a 1 1 0 1 0 0 
			 London City of 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Merseyside 12 n/a 12 n/a 10 1 19 0 10 1 
			 Metropolitan 22 n/a 26 n/a 16 2 14 9 14 4 
			 Norfolk 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 1 0 1 2 0 
			 North Wales 4 n/a 3 n/a 0 0 4 3 2 1 
			 North Yorkshire 1 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Northamptonshire 4 n/a 0 n/a 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Northumbria 4 n/a 5 n/a 1 1 4 1 4 0 
			 Nottinghamshire 2 n/a 0 n/a 4 0 2 0 1 0 
			 South Wales 2 n/a 5 n/a 5 4 6 0 2 0 
			 South Yorkshire 11 n/a 6 n/a 9 1 6 0 3 0 
			 Staffordshire 6 n/a 4 n/a 4 1 1 0 1 0 
			 Suffolk 0 n/a 2 n/a 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Surrey 1 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Sussex 1 n/a 0 n/a 1 0 1 0 1 0 
			 Thames Valley 7 n/a 2 n/a 8 0 4  6 2 
			 Warwickshire 2 n/a 3 n/a 1 0 1 0 0 0 
			 West Mercia 2 n/a 1 n/a 0 0 2 0 0 0 
			 West Midlands 0 n/a 13 n/a 9 4 11 4 9 12 
			 West Yorkshire 16 n/a 11 n/a 7 1 6 1 4 1 
			 Wiltshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 1 0 1 1 2 0 
			 Total 156 n/a 157 n/a 144 42 119 41 95 29 
			 n/a = not available. (1 )The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced on 1 April 2002. Figures for some crime categories may have been inflated by this. (2 )More explicit guidelines for the classification of weapons, introduced on 1 April 2004, may have increased the recording of firearm offences, particularly those committed by imitation weapons. (3 )Data for BB guns/soft air weapons have been separately collected only since 1 April 2004. Prior to that they were included within the 'imitation weapons' total. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table  C : Offences involving air weapons and BB guns/soft air weapons resulting in  fatal  injury, by police force area: England and Wales, 2002-03 to 2006-07 
			   2002-03( 1)  2003-04  2004-05( 2)  2005-06  2006-07 
			  Police force area  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons( 3)  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons( 3)  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons  Air weapons  BB guns/soft air weapons 
			 Avon and Somerset 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Bedfordshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Cambridgeshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Cheshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Cleveland 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Cumbria 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Derbyshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Devon and Cornwall 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Dorset 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Durham 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Dyfed Powys 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Essex 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Gloucestershire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Gtr. Manchester 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Gwent 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Hampshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Hertfordshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Humberside 1 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Kent 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Lancashire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Leicestershire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Lincolnshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 London City of 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Merseyside 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Metropolitan 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Norfolk 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 North Wales 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 North Yorkshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Northamptonshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Northumbria 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Nottinghamshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 South Wales 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 South Yorkshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Staffordshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Suffolk 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Surrey 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Sussex 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Thames Valley 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Warwickshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 West Mercia 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 West Midlands 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 West Yorkshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 1 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Wiltshire 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 1 n/a 0 n/a 1 0 1 0 3 0 
			 n/a = not available. (1 )The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced on 1 April 2002. Figures for some crime categories may have been inflated by this. (2 )More explicit guidelines for the classification of weapons, introduced on 1 April 2004, may have increased the recording of firearm offences, particularly those committed by imitation weapons. (3 )Data for BB guns/soft air weapons have been separately collected only since 1 April 2004. Prior to that they were included within the 'imitation weapons' total.

Alcohol Disorder Zones

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Government expects the first alcohol disorder zone to be implemented.

Jacqui Smith: The regulations in respect of alcohol disorder zones (ADZs) have passed through both Houses of Parliament and we expect that they will be commenced in June 2008. It is a matter for local authorities and the police to decide if and when an ADZ is implemented.

Alcohol Disorder Zones

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local authorities have submitted an application to establish an alcohol disorder zone.

Jacqui Smith: None. Alcohol disorder zones have not yet been commenced. They have passed through both Houses of Parliament, and we expect that they will be commenced in June 2008.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons data on antisocial behaviour orders for 2006 have not been published; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Data on antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) up to 31 December 2006 were published on 8 May. Copies of the data are available at the House of Commons Library and on the Crime Reduction website.

Crime: Business

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions the Government have had with local authorities and police forces on tackling crime against businesses.

Vernon Coaker: The Government's crime strategy for 2008-11, published in July 2007, encourages local authorities and police to work more closely with businesses in tackling local problems of crime and disorder.
	The crime strategy gives local partners more flexibility to respond to the crime and antisocial behaviour that matters to the public in their areas, with fewer types of crime being mandated as priorities from the centre.
	Public Service Agreement 23 Make Communities Safer raises the profile of business crime, to encourage CDRPs to consult and engage with the business community. Publication of Delivering Safer Communities: A guide to effective partnership working in September 2007 for CDRP partners, includes good practice examples of partnerships working with the business community.
	Neighbourhood policing has been introduced across England and Wales to deal with low-level crime and antisocial behaviour. In some communities this will include, for example, police community support officers working in partnership with local businesses. The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) is working to produce a guidance document for police forces on how to engage with local businesses.

Crime: Small Businesses

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent steps the Government have taken to reduce the incidence of crime against small businesses.

Vernon Coaker: Between 2004 and 2007 the Home Office provided more than 1 million of funding to the Action Against Business Crime group (AABC) to set up 120 business crime reduction partnerships in towns and cities across England and Wales. It also, in partnership with stakeholders, produced a booklet to enable businesses to undertake a crime prevention survey of their premises. More than 200,000 copies of this booklet have so far been printed and distributed.
	The Home Office has also provided funding to the Perpetuity Group to develop a tool for small and medium-sized retailers to design out crime in their stores and reduce the opportunities for shop thieves to operate. In addition to this, we have provided funding to the Nottinghamshire Business Crime Initiative to develop a model for reducing crime against small and medium-sized businesses on industrial estates and parks.
	The Government are working in partnership with retail organisations to tackle retail crime. As part of this work we have set up a National Retail Crime Steering Group to provide a forum to discuss and devise strategies for tackling crimes of concern to retailers.
	We are committed to raising the profile of crimes against all businesses, making provisions for better information about them and producing guidance to support local partnerships in their efforts to tackle the crimes which affect them.

Crime: Statistics

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many records of offences  (a) in total,  (b) of violence against the person,  (c) sexual offences,  (d) of robbery,  (e) of burglary,  (f) of theft of a vehicle and  (g) of theft from a vehicle recorded by the police in 2002-03 can be attributed to the effect of the National Crime Recording Standard.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 1 May 2008
	An online report entitled National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS): an analysis of the impact on recorded crime, published in July 2003, evaluated the impact of NCRS on recorded crime figures. The report stated that the national picture for total crime (2001-02: 5,525,024; 2002-03: 5,974,960) demonstrated an overall NCRS impact of 10 per cent. on the recorded crime statistics for 2002-03.
	Estimates of the percentage impact of the NCRS on recorded crime in 2002-03 varied considerably between offence types:
	Violence against the person: 23 per cent. impact
	(2001-02: 650,326; 2002-03: 845,078)
	Robbery: 3 per cent. impact
	(2001/02: 121,359; 2002/03: 110,271)
	Burglary: 3 per cent. impact
	(2001-02: 878,509; 2002-03: 890,099)
	Equivalent estimates of the impact of the NCRS on sexual offences, theft of a vehicle and theft from a vehicle recorded are unavailable.
	It is thought that there was some continuing impact of the NCRS on the number of recorded crimes in the three-year period following its introduction as a result of audits to further improve recording.

Crime: Statistics

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of crime recorded by the police in  (a) 2002-03,  (b) 2003-04,  (c) 2004-05,  (d) 2005-06 and  (e) 2006-07 would not have been counted prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 1 May 2008
	An online report entitled National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS): an analysis of the impact on recorded crime, published in July 2003, evaluated the impact of NCRS on record crime figures. The report stated that the national picture demonstrated an overall NCRS impact of 10 per cent. on the recorded crime statistics for 2002-03. The total recorded crime figure was 5,525,024 in 2001-02 and 5,974,960 in 2002-03.
	This analysis of the impact of the NCRS on recorded crime has not been replicated since it was originally carried out in 2003 so equivalent estimates are unavailable for 2003-04 through to 2006-07. It is, however, thought that there was some continuing impact of the NCRS on the number of recorded crimes in the three year period following its introduction as a result of audits to further improve recording.

Criminal Records: Databases

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of records held by the Criminal Records Bureau she estimates contain incorrect information, broken down by police force area.

Jacqui Smith: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is not the data owner of the records that it searches. These records are held, owned and maintained by the police service, the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Health. The CRB is not responsible for the accuracy of the information these records contain.

Domestic Violence

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which domestic violence  (a) projects and  (b) organisations for (i) perpetrators and (ii) victims of domestic violence are being funded by her Department in 2008-09.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office has allocated funding to support a range of domestic violence projects and organisations during 2008-09. Details of these organisations are outlined in the following table.
	
		
			  Domestic violence funding, 2008-09: Projects and organisations 
			  Projects  Organisations  Allocation () 
			  Perpetrators   
			 Accredited community perpetrator programme Respect (1)120,000 
			 Perpetrator helpline Respect (1) 
			
			  Victims   
			 National Domestic Violence Helpline Women's Aid and Refuge 500,000 
			 Men's advice line for male victims of domestic violence Respect 120,000 
			 Domestic violence helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people Broken Rainbow 120,000 
			 Helpline database development for victims of domestic violence from black and minority ethnic communities Southall Black Sisters 20,000 
			 Honour Networkhelpline for survivors of forced marriage Karma Nirvana 15,000 
			 Men's coalition development work Men's Health Forum 50,000 
			 Training for Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs) and Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse 800,000 
			 Total  1,745,000

Drugs: Crime

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the drug interdictions set out in the Serious Organised Crime Agency Annual Report 2007-08 were the result of UK-based operations.

Jacqui Smith: Serious Organised Crime Agency operations are carried out both in the UK and overseas. Since lead intelligence may be obtained both at home and abroad, it is not possible to indicate what proportion of 2007-08 drug seizures were the result of solely UK-based operations.

Drugs: Crime

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the drug interdictions listed in the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) Annual Report 2007-08 were seized directly by SOCA officers, rather than its partners.

Jacqui Smith: The Serious Organised Crime Agency has no powers to seize drugs outside the UK. Interdictions overseas referred to in its Annual Report, therefore, involved SOCA providing key intelligence and/or operational support, not undertaking the physical act of seizure. At home, SOCA works collaboratively with UK police forces and with HMRC and the UK Border Agency. Decisions on the interdiction phases of such joint operational activity are made according to local or operational imperatives, including to protect the use of sensitive intelligence sources. In all the seizures reported, SOCA was involved from the start, whether or not it carried out the actual seizure itself.

Drugs: Fines

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fines issued for the unlawful possession of drugs were for  (a) 50 or less,  (b) 51 to 100,  (c) 101 to 500 and  (d) 500 or more in each of the last 10 years.

Jacqui Smith: The number of fines issued for unlawful possession of drugs, in each of the last 10 years, in the four categories described are outlined in the following table.
	
		
			  Offenders fined for drugs offences( 1, 2)  at all courts 
			   101 to 500  51 to 100  less than 50  over 500  Grand total 
			 1996 3,520 3,246 1,830 5,531 14,127 
			 1997 3,624 4,863 2,206 6,566 17,259 
			 1998 4,061 6,920 3,043 8,155 22,179 
			 1999 3,942 6,889 3,284 8,067 22,182 
			 2000 3,669 5,648 2,989 7,583 19,889 
			 2001 3,337 3,940 3,476 8,710 19,463 
			 2002 3,269 3,732 4,412 9,543 20,956 
			 2003 3,279 4,019 4,263 10,062 21,623 
			 2004 2,608 2,091 2,544 6,068 13,311 
			 2005 2,859 2,120 2,113 5,861 12,953 
			 2006 3,129 2,156 1,639 5,798 12,722 
			 (1) Principal offence. (2 )Having possession of a controlled drug and having possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply.

Firearms

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2008,  Official Report, column 2678W, on firearm seizures, if she will provide the number of seizures for 2007-08 following the publication of the Serious Organised Crime Agency's Annual Report.

Jacqui Smith: As set out in its Annual Report for 2007-08, the Serious Organised Crime Agency was involved in the seizure of over 400 firearms and over 23,000 rounds of ammunition.

Genetics: Databases

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many prosecutions DNA samples on the national DNA database from people with no previous convictions have been used.

Jacqui Smith: Information on the number of prosecutions in which DNA subject sample profiles on the National DNA Database (NDNAD) taken from persons with no previous convictions have been used in evidence is not available from the NDNAD, nor is it available from police force data collected by the Home Office on forensic activity and related detections. The NDNAD holds DNA profiles taken from persons arrested for a recordable offence but does not hold data on their criminal histories; this information is held on the Police National Computer (PNC).
	Some research information is, however, available on the number of DNA profiles taken from those arrested but not charged and from those arrested, charged but not convicted of an offence that have resulted in a DNA match, thus providing the police with an intelligence link on the possible identity of the offender and assisting in the detection of crimes. In April 2004, an amendment to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 came into effect which enabled the police to take and retain DNA and fingerprints from persons who had been arrested for a recordable offence. In the period April 2004 to December 2005, the retention of DNA profiles of arrested persons who had not been charged or proceeded against had resulted in matches with crime scene profiles from over 3,000 offences.
	In May 2001, an amendment to PACE 1984 came into effect which enabled the police to retain DNA samples taken from persons who had been charged but not convicted of an offence. In the period May 2001 to December 2005, an estimated 200,000 DNA samples taken from people charged with offences had been retained on the National DNA Database, which would previously have had to be removed because of the absence of a conviction. From these, approximately 8,500 profiles of individuals have been linked with crime scene profiles, involving nearly 14,000 offences.

Human Trafficking

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 15 May 2008,  Official Report, column 1733W, on human trafficking, for what offences the 86 convictions were made; and how many of the convictions led to  (a) a custodial sentence of more than one year,  (b) a custodial sentence of less than one year,  (c) a community sentence and  (d) a fine.

Jacqui Smith: Since the answer of 18 May when an interrogation of the police national computer (PNC) as of 12 May found there had been a total of 86 convictions for human trafficking since the introduction of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, further investigations have found that two of the cases had incorrect data recorded on the PNC. The total number of convictions as of 12 May is therefore 84 not 86. Sentencing figures from the PNC break these down to show:
	
		
			   Number 
			 Sentences of one year or more 75 
			 Sentence of less than one year 1 
			 Suspended sentences 4 
			 Awaiting sentence 4 
			 Total: 84

Immigration: Organised Crime

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 1 April 2008,  Official Report, column 758W, on organised immigration crime, if she will provide full figures for 2007-08 following the publication of the Serious Organised Crime Agency's Annual Report.

Jacqui Smith: Between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008, there were 129 arrests and 30 convictions as a result of operations where organised immigration crime, including people smuggling and human trafficking, was the main threat.

Police: Information and Communications Technology

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what IT software is  (a) recommended by her Department and  (b) used by police forces in their enforcement of licensing laws.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 24 April 2008
	The Home Department has not recommended the use of a specific IT software application for the enforcement of licensing laws and the use of IT software for this purpose will be a matter for individual forces to determine.

Proceeds of Crime

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) interim receiving orders,  (b) property freezing orders,  (c) Mareva injunctions and  (d) freezing orders were granted under or ancillary to proceedings under Part 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 in (i) England and Wales and (ii) Northern Ireland in each year of the Assets Recovery Agency's existence.

Vernon Coaker: The information requested is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Assets Recovery Agency 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Total  NI  Total  NI  Total  NI  Total  NI  Total  NI 
			 Interim Receiving Order 12 2 20 8 25 15 7 5 1 1 
			 Mareva Injunction/Freezing Order 12 3 6 0 14 1 2 0 0 0 
			 Property Freezing Order 6 1 48 7 22 4

Proceeds of Crime

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many outstanding applications for recovery orders under Part 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 were inherited in  (a) England and Wales and  (b) Northern Ireland by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency following the abolition of the Assets Recovery Agency.

Vernon Coaker: The Serious Organised Crime Agency inherited from the Assets Recovery Agency 30 issued claims in civil recovery in England and Wales and eight in Northern Ireland.

Security Guards: Licensing

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what proportion of applications to the Security Industry Authority for licences were completed within the six to eight weeks processing target time in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many applications to the Security Industry Authority for  (a) licences and  (b) licence renewals have been delayed in processing as a result of the introduction of a new computer system and still await determination; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  how many stuck applications are in the Security Industry Authority licensing system; what steps are being taken to expedite the processing of these applications through the system; and when she expects them to have been dealt with.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 29 April 2008
	As a result of a delay in implementing the full functionality of the SIA's new processing system, some of this management information is not currently available. The SIA advise that data relating to the first quarter of this financial year will be available in August. I will write to the right hon. Member with this information when it is available.
	As at 13 May there were 346 cases at various stages of processing which were unable to progress further as a result of problems with the managed service provider system. The SIA are in contact with the individuals concerned as the majority of these cases require information to be re-submitted which is currently missing from the system.
	Most other cases are moving systematically, albeit more slowly than normal, through the process. The SIA is committed to doing all it can to return the process to normal levels and speed any 'stuck' cases that come to light through to completion.

Security Guards: Licensing

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps  (a) her Department and  (b) the Security Industry Authority (SIA) are taking to (i) protect those employees whose jobs have been jeopardised and (ii) compensate those employees who lose their jobs as a result of delays in SIA licence application processing.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 29 April 2008
	This is an operational matter for the SIA. They are working to restore performance to acceptable levels as quickly as possible in order to reduce delays and the resulting impact on applicants. If individuals have suffered financial loss as a direct result of processing delays, the SIA will consider compensation claims on a case by case basis.

Security Guards: Licensing

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for  (a) licences and  (b) licence renewals were received by the Security Industry Authority in each year since 2003.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 29 April 2008
	Licence renewals are not recorded separately to new applications. Details of application numbers are available in the SIA's annual reports from 2003-04 to 2006-07. Copies can be viewed on the SIA's website at:
	http://www.the-sia.org.uk/home/about_sia/publications/publications_financial.htm
	Details are set out in the following table. Copies are also available in the House of Commons Library.
	The figures for 2007-08 are not yet available, but will be published in the SIA's Annual report 2007-08 later this year.
	
		
			   Licence applications received 
			 2003-4 6 
			 2004-5 24,402 
			 2005-6 99,475 
			 2006-7 102,495

Security Guards: Licensing

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the Security Industry Authority lost the personal details of applicants in each year since 2003.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 1 May 2008
	Information on the numbers of incidents is not available, although the SIA have informed us that they are aware that there have been some incidents in the past where documents have gone missing in the postal system, which have been dealt with on a case by case basis.
	The SIA take the safeguarding of applicants' personal details and documents very seriously, and various procedures have been implemented to reduce the occurrence of personal details being lost. These include all documents that are received by the SIA being handled in a secure area.
	To minimise the risk that documents may be lost or re-directed when being returned to applicants, the SIA have introduced a courier system which delivers all documentation direct to the address provided by the applicant.

Security Industry Authority: Manpower

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) contact staff,  (b) processing staff,  (c) temporary staff and  (d) staff in total were employed by the Security Industry Authority in each month since January 2003.

Jacqui Smith: Call centre contact staff and general processing staff are not directly employed by the SIA. Employee details are published each year in the SIA's annual report. The reports for 2003-04 to 2006-07 can be viewed on the SIA's website at:
	http://www.the-sia.org.uk/home/about_sia/publications/publications_financial.htm
	Copies are also available in the House of Commons Library.
	Details of the position at the end of the last two financial years are set out in the following table.
	
		
			   31 March 
			   2007  2008 
			 Permanent staff 90 113 
			 Seconded staff 5 4 
			 Temporary staff 23 30 
			 Total 118 147 
			 Consultants 4 1

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which non-governmental organisations are employed by his Department in Helmand Province; and what type of project each is carrying out.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) has entered in to one contract with an non-governmental organisation for a development project in Helmand. The NGO, which would prefer to remain nameless for security reasons, received a grant of 999,447 to support an agricultural development programme which began in August 2007. In addition, DFID funding is supporting, through the Government of Afghanistan, the Bangladeshi NGO BRAG, to undertake community development and microfinance projects in Helmand, and the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) to establish credit unions.

Afghanistan

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many of his Department's personnel are based in Helmand Province; and what their budget for 2008-09 is.

Douglas Alexander: Department for International Development (DFID) staff are currently located in Helmand. For security reasons, DFID does not publish exact details on the number and location of its staff in Afghanistan. The current total unit cost of a single member of staff is around 250,000, incorporating salary and hardship allowances, with the majority accounting for the costs of providing adequate security.

Afghanistan: Overseas Aid

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding was allocated by his Department to Helmand Province in each of the last five years.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 2 June 2008
	The information requested is as follows:
	In 2006-07 DFID spent 15.1 million.
	In 2007-08 DFID spent 8.1 million.
	In 2008-09 DFID intends to spend up to 31.14 million.
	There was no Helmand spend prior to these figures.

Burma: Overseas Aid

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid his Department plans to provide to Burma in each year from 2008 until 2011.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) plans to spend 12 million in Burma in 2008-09, rising to 15 million in 2009-10 and 18 million in 2010-11. This allocation is additional to the 27.5 million we have committed to emergency relief in Burma following Cyclone Nargis.

Burma: Storms

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding his Department has provided to cross-border groups which have been providing humanitarian assistance in Burma since Cyclone Nargis.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) has so far pledged 27.5 million towards the humanitarian effort following Cyclone Nargis. This assistance is being channelled through the United Nations, the Red Cross and NGOs with the greatest capacity to operate effectively in the areas of Burma worst hit by the cyclone. We have no plans at present to channel funds through cross-border groups based in neighbouring countries.

Overseas Aid

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which supplier or chain of suppliers is to provide the supply of 20 million bed nets recently announced by the Prime Minister; and on what criteria the supply contract will be awarded.

Gillian Merron: The responsibility for the procurement of the bed nets rests with individual Department for International Development (DFID) country programmes. They will select the preferred supplier on the basis of DFID's standard procurement processes, in compliance with the European Union Public Procurement Directives. Contracts will be awarded to those bidders that offer the most economically advantageous tenders to DFID, taking account of technical and commercial considerations.

Overseas Aid

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what arrangements have been made for the  (a) procurement and  (b) distribution of the 20 million bed nets recently announced by the Prime Minister; and in how many stages the nets will be delivered;
	(2)  pursuant to the announcement of 20 million bed nets by the Prime Minister, what provision has been made for programmes of training in the  (a) installation,  (b) proofing and  (c) use of the nets; and how much has been allocated for such training;
	(3)  what mechanisms he has established to assess the effectiveness of the programme to provide 20 million bed nets;
	(4)  what steps he plans to take to  (a) ensure and  (b) monitor the consistency of use of the 20 million bed nets recently announced by the Prime Minister.

Gillian Merron: The Department for International Development (DFID) will work with a range of partners to ensure the bed nets are distributed and delivered effectively. We will work to support the strengthening of recipient government systems for this purpose.
	Detailed arrangements for procurement and delivery, including training, will be made in-country by DFID's country programmes. Installation will be part of the accompanying education package offered as part of the delivery support. The anticipated unit cost includes up to 2 per net to meet the cost of programme administration, distribution and education. The bed nets will be long-lasting insecticide treated (ITNs) and will be procured annually over the period 2008-2010. Purchase of the bed nets will comply with DFID's robust procurement practices.
	The level of demand in each country has already been established. DFID will monitor bed net usage patterns and practices through standard health management information systems and multi-partner demographic and health surveys including household interview and net tracking surveys. A structured evaluation of the programme and the lessons learnt from it will take place in 2011.

INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Apprentices

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many adults he expects to participate in  (a) adult Level 2 apprenticeships,  (b) adult Level 3 advanced apprenticeships and  (c) higher education apprenticeships in each year from 2007-08 to 2010-11.

David Lammy: The information requested about apprenticeships starts in England is provided in the following table. Information about apprenticeships at level 4 is not separately available. These figures are planning assumptions, and we will endeavour to find resources to meet demand above these levels.
	
		
			  Projected adult( 1)  apprenticeship starts by level 
			   2007/08  2008/09  2009/10  2010/11 
			 Level 2 apprenticeships 46,000 52,000 56,000 51,000 
			 Level 3 and 4 Apprenticeships(2) 31,000 35,000 39,000 34,000 
			 Total 77,000 87,000 95,000 85,000 
			 (1) Adult is defined as aged 19 and over. (2) Includes a small number (less than 100) of level 4 (higher education) apprenticeships.  Source:  Modelling data based on individualised learner record.

Departmental Pay

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much was paid in end-of-year performance bonuses to  (a) all staff and  (b) staff at senior civil service level in (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies in the 2007-08 financial year; and how many payments were made.

David Lammy: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) was formed as a result of machinery of government changes in June 2007 by transferring staff from the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). The staff transferred on their existing contractual terms and conditions of employment. Both Departments previously paid performance related bonuses to reward high performancewhere, typically, personal objectives have been consistently exceeded.
	Pending the introduction of shared service arrangements, information about payments to all DIUS staff continues to be retained on the HR databases of the Departments from which the staff were transferred. Compiling the bonus information required for reply it would be necessary to search these separate databases and this involves disproportionate cost.
	Bonuses for the performance year 2007/08, paid to senior civil servants currently working within DIUS, will have been paid by their former Department and will have been disclosed by those Departments in their response to this question.
	As regards the Department's agencies NWML and UKIPO, the end-of-year performance bonuses paid to staff in the 2007-08 financial year were as follows:
	1. 1,461 payments were made to staff, totalling 325,500;
	2. Seven payments were made to staff at senior civil service level, totalling 19,900.

Food

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much food waste his Department generated in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: Catering services, alongside accommodation and facilities management services, are provided to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills by the Departments of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and Children, Schools and Families. Answers given on behalf of those Departments will therefore cover this Department as well.

Higher Education: Admissions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the higher education initial participation rate for English-domiciled first-time participants in higher education courses in each parliamentary constituency was by  (a) sex,  (b) age and  (c) socioeconomic group in each of the last 10 years.

Bill Rammell: The Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR) is the sum of the HE initial participation rates for individual ages between 17 and 30 inclusive. It covers English-domiciled first time entrants to HE courses, which are expected to last for at least six months, at UK Higher Education Institutions and English, Scottish and Welsh Further Education Colleges, and who remain on their course for at least six months. The latest available figures, including a gender breakdown, are shown in Table 1:
	
		
			  Table 1: Higher Education Initial Participation Rate for 17-30 year olds 
			   Male  Female  All 
			 1999/2000 37 (37.1) 41 (41.4) 39 (39.2) 
			 2000/01 37 (36.8) 43 (42.8) 40 (39.6) 
			 2001/02 36 (36.5) 44 (44.1) 40 (40.2) 
			 2002/03 37 (36.9) 46 (45.6) 41 (41.1) 
			 2003/04 35 (35.3) 45 (45.3) 40 (40.2) 
			 2004/05 35 (35.4) 45 (45.0) 40 (40.1) 
			 2005/06 37 (37.4) 48 (47.8) 42 (42.5) 
			 2006/07 35 (34.8) 45 (44.9) 40 (39.8) 
			  Note: The HEIPR is usually published to the nearest integer, but the figures are included to one decimal place to inform comparisons over time. Numbers are quoted to the nearest thousand.  Source: Participation Rates in Higher Education: Academic Years 1999/20.00-2006/07 (Provisional), published by DfES. 
		
	
	The HEIPR for individual ages from 17 to 30 is shown in Table 2:
	
		
			  Table 2 :  Higher Education Initial Participation Rate by gender and age 
			  Percentage 
			  Age  1999/2000  2000/01  2001/02  2002/03  2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07 
			 17 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.3 
			 18 19.3 19.5 19.6 19.7 19.2 19.4 21.3 20.2 
			 19 9.3 9.7 10.0 9.9 9.7 9.4 9.7 8.6 
			 20 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.6 2.5 
			 21 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 
			 22 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.0 
			 23 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 
			 24 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.8 
			 25 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 
			 26 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 
			 27 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 
			 28 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 
			 29 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 
			 30 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 
			 Total 39.2 39.6 40.2 41.1 40.2 40.1 42.5 39.8 
			  Note: The HEIPR is usually published to the nearest integer, but the figures are included to one decimal place to inform comparisons over time. Numbers are quoted to the nearest thousand.  Source: Participation Rates in Higher Education: Academic Years 1999/2000 - 2006/07 (Provisional), published by DfES. 
		
	
	The HEIPR is not available for earlier years than 1999/2000. The HEIPR is not available below country level, therefore figures are not available by parliamentary constituency.
	The HEIPR is not available broken down by socio-economic class, due to differences in the information on which socio-economic class is based across the age range. As such, only the full-time young (18-20) component of the HEIPR is available by socio-economic class. Table 3 shows the following:
	1. The proportion of 18-20 year olds from the top three socio-economic classes who participate for the first time in full-time higher education;
	2. The proportion of 18-20 year olds from the bottom four socio-economic classes who participate for the first time in full-time higher education;
	3. The difference, or gap between these two rates.
	
		
			  Full-time Young Participation by Socio-Economic Class (FYPSEC) 
			  Percentage 
			  Academic year  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Percentage from NS-SECs 1, 2 and 3 44.6 41.5 41.5 43.3 
			 Percentage from NS-SECs 4, 5, 6 and 7 17.6 17.9 17.7 19.9 
			 Difference 27.0 23.6 23.8 23.4 
		
	
	The figures cover English-domiciled 18-20 year olds who are studying for the first time at higher education level at UK higher education institutions or English further education colleges, who remain on their courses for at least six months.
	Due to a change from social class to socio-economic class in 2001, earlier comparable figures are not available. The 2006/07 figures will become available later this year.
	The Government remains committed to widening participation in higher education, it is an economic as well as a social imperative that everyone who can benefit from higher education has the opportunity to do so. Widening participation is about spotting and nurturing talent, with schools, colleges and universities working together to ensure that all those with the potential and merit to benefit from higher education are able to do so.

Higher Education: Finance

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what proportion of the Higher Education Funding Council for England's budget for tuition funding was allocated to  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time higher education students in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08; and what proportion will be allocated to each category in (A) 2008-09, (B) 2009-10 and (C) 2010-11.

Bill Rammell: In both 2006-07 and 2007-08 about 82 per cent. of the Higher Education Funding Council for England's budget to support tuition was allocated for full-time students and about 18 per cent. was allocated for part-time students. The underlying full-time proportion will rise to about 83 per cent. in 2008-09. The exact proportions for future years will depend on student demand and the responses of institutions to that demand although it is our policy that public funding for higher education should generally be fairly stable and predictable. In all cases, grant is unhypothecated with institutions free to decide for themselves how to organise and fund tuition for their students.

Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the criteria were for the selection of members to the Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property; and what plans he has to make further appointments.

Ian Pearson: The published selection criteria were: interest in and awareness of IP; commitment to SABIP's work; demonstrable strategic vision; ability to make a significant contribution to SABIP's overall performance and direction; well developed interpersonal skills with the ability to constructively challenge accepted views; outstanding integrity; and demonstrated achievement and standing in the candidate's field.
	The Secretary of State has no immediate plans to make further appointments.

Students: Loans

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people are making repayments on student loans.

Bill Rammell: The Statistical First Release published by the Student Loans Company in June 2007 showed that in March 2007 there were 253,000 English domiciled income-contingent loan borrowers making repayments, according to the latest tax year returns from HM Revenue and Customs. There were more than 154,000 mortgage-style borrowers ahead or up to date with repayments. In addition a number of mortgage-style borrowers classed as in arrears may have made repayments that did not bring their accounts up to date.

Teachers: Sign Language

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills whether British Sign Language teachers who do not hold Lifelong Learning UK's new minimum core requirements for teachers in further education will be able to continue teaching.

Bill Rammell: FE teachers will be able to continue teaching if they have not met the requirements of the minimum core. However, specific conditions may apply, depending on when the teacher was recruited and whether the Further Education Teachers' Qualifications (England) Regulation (2007) No 2664 apply.
	The minimum core provides a benchmark standard for levels of literacy, language, numeracy and ICT for teachers in the FE sector, and is similar to requirements for teaching in schools. This standard ensures that teachers have the basic skills required for effective pedagogy and, where appropriate, to support learners Skills for Life needs. Set at Level 2 (GCSE equivalent level), the core is intended to be applied to all teachers new to the FE sector as part of their initial training and development. Evidence of Level 2 personal skills in literacy, numeracy and ICT will also be a condition to achieve licensed practitioner status with the Institute for Learning for new and existing teachers.
	Lifelong Learning UK are planning a review of the minimum core requirements for FE teachers to address concerns raised about British Sign Language (BSL) and learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Planning for the introduction of assessment and evidencing of teachers' literacy and numeracy personal skills in September 2008, as a requirement to gain licensed practitioner status with the Institute for Learning, is also taking account of these concerns.

Teachers: Sign Language

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact on British Sign Language teachers of Lifelong Learning UK's new minimum core requirements for further education teachers.

Bill Rammell: The minimum core is a long-standing policy, which has been extensively consulted on and reviewed during the last five years, particularly during development of the FE teaching reforms, which were launched in September 2007.
	Following extensive sector consultation by the Further Education National Training Organisation (FENTO), the core became a key component of the FE workforce reforms that were first announced in Equipping our Teachers for the Future (DfES, 2004). Since 2005 it has been the requirement that endorsed initial teacher training (ITT) courses support development of FE teacher trainees' minimum core pedagogic skills within their courses. The Department expects ITT providers to contextualise courses appropriately for their learnersincluding British Sign Language teachersand make reasonable adjustments for any learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The minimum core was revised in 2007 by the Sector Skills Council for FE staffLifelong Learning UK (LLUK)which succeeded FENTO. This ensured alignment with new LLUK teacher standards and the new mandatory teacher qualifications for the FE sector, which were introduced through regulations that came into force on 1 September 2007.
	LLUK is planning a further review of the minimum core requirements for FE teachers, including the impact on specialist such as British Sign Language teachers, and will work with partner organisations in the sector during the process. The Department and LLUK are committed to ensuring that teachers are trained to a standard that all learners deserve.

Teachers: Sign Language

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps he plans to take to increase the number of qualified British Sign Language teachers and interpreters.

Bill Rammell: The Department recognises the need to ensure the workforce supporting learners is sufficient and capable to support learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. However, the Government are not the employer of British Sign Language professionals. FE colleges were established as independent organisations following the enactment of the Further and Higher Education Act in 1992. As such, they are responsible for their own HR arrangements, including the recruitment and deployment of staff. Wider FE providers are generally independent organisations, similarly responsible for their own HR arrangements. We expect all FE learning providers to recruit and organise their workforce to meet local circumstances and learner and business needs.
	However, in its strategy for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, Learning for Living and Work (2006), the Learning and Skills Council has stated that it is of prime importance to address workforce development. Importantly, the strategy has identified where gaps in specialist support occur and LSC is now working with Lifelong Learning UKas the sector skills council covering FE teachers and support staffto address these gaps. Detailed plans are still under consideration. A progress report on Learning for Living and Work will be published in the summer.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Admiralty House

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how much his Department has spent on the ministerial residences in Admiralty House since they became vacant; and for what purpose in each case;
	(2)  what expenditure the Cabinet Office has incurred, and for what purpose, in relation to the Ministerial flat in Admiralty House formerly occupied by the right hon. Member of Ashfield since he vacated the property on 30 June 2006.

Tom Watson: The Cabinet Office is responsible for meeting council tax charges on the two unoccupied flats. No additional money has been spent.

Central Office of Information: Advertising

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the  (a) name,  (b) cost and  (c) purpose was of each advertising campaign carried out by the Central Office of Information in the most recent year for which information is available.

Tom Watson: holding answer 29 April 2008
	COI commissions advertising campaigns for Government Departments and agencies to help them communicate their policies and achieve their objectives.
	The most recent year for which information is fully available is 2006-07; information for 2007-08 will not be available until the COI's report and accounts is published in July 2008.
	The following table lists the campaigns undertaken by COI on its clients' behalf during the year:
	
		
			  Client  Campaign title  Cost 
			 ACAS ACAS Miscellaneous Advertising Activity 2006-07 228,950 
			 Army Army/TA Recruitment Advertising 2006-07 7,960,140 
			 Army Army/TA Recruitment Advertising 2006-07 1,026,423 
			 Cancer Research UK Cancer Research UK 2006-07 2,184,645 
			 Civil Justice Council Civil Justice Council Classified Advertising 2006-07 8,434 
			 Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health CPPIH Classified Advertising 2006-07 5,101 
			 Commission for Racial Equality Commission for Racial Equality Classified Advertising 2006-07 2,734 
			 Communities and Local Government DCLG Campaigns 2006-07 5,227,293 
			 Constitutional Affairs DCA Classified Advertising 2006-07 10,743 
			 Constitutional Affairs Office for Criminal Justice ReformClassified Advertising 2006-07 19,774 
			 Construction Industry Training Board CITBDRM Media 2006-07 307,878 
			 Culture, Media and Sport DCMS 2006-07 8,233 
			 Culture, Media and Sport DCMS Classified Advertising 2006-07 211,286 
			 Culture, Media and Sport DCMS Tourism Consultation 2006-07 2,888 
			 Disability Rights Commission DRCDisability Awareness Raising 2006-07 248,986 
			 DVLA DVLA Continuous Registration 2006-07 4,990,291 
			 Education and Skills Student Finance 2006-07 2,476,295 
			 Education and Skills Teenage Pregnancy 2006-07 1,533,980 
			 Education and Skills DFES Classified Advertising 2006-07 62,995 
			 Education and Skills Children and Young People's Workforce Insert 2006-07 45,123 
			 Education and Skills Adult Basic Skills 2006-07 1,805,199 
			 Education and Skills Childcare Recruitment 2006-07 404,664 
			 Electoral Commission Electoral Commission Local Election Vote Phase 2006-07 1,233,145 
			 Electoral Commission Electoral Commission 2006-07 1,176,739 
			 Electoral Commission Vote Scotland 2006-07 456,506 
			 Energy Saving Trust EST Save Your 20 per cent. 2006-07 1,968,196 
			 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs DEFRA Illegal Meats Ethnic 2006-07 37,890 
			 FCO FCO Classified Advertising 2006-07 1,901 
			 Financial Services Authority Financial Services Authority 2006-07 1,112,859 
			 Food Standards Agency FSABBQ Safety 2006-07 943,652 
			 Food Standards Agency Food Standards AgencySalt 2006-07 2,622,637 
			 Food Standards Agency Food Standards Agency Classified Advertising 2006-07 50,369 
			 Food Standards Agency Scores on the Doors Media 2006-07 9,407 
			 Food Standards Agency FSA Scotland Press Ads 2006-07 508 
			 Food Standards Agency FSA Signposting 2006-07 1,884,392 
			 Health DoH Directories Advertising 2006-07 61,972 
			 Health Department of Health Classified Advertising 2006-07 74,040 
			 Health Child Immunisation 2006-07 1,660,586 
			 Health SmokingMotivations that Matter 2006-07 2,794,919 
			 Health Health and Social Care Awards 2006-07 36,032 
			 Health Social Work Recruitmentautumn 2006-07 716,918 
			 Health Flu Immunisation 2006-07 1,107,207 
			 Health Sexual Health/Teenage Pregnancy 2006-07 2,654,755 
			 Health Healthy Start 2006-07 10,892 
			 Health Social Care Recruitment 2006-07 1,589,051 
			 Health NHS Direct Interactive on Digital TV 2006-07 286,432 
			 Health Tobacco Control CampaignHook 2006-07 3,977,096 
			 Health TobaccoSupport 2006-07 2,232,825 
			 Health TobaccoSecond Hand Smoke 2006-07 3,237,752 
			 Health Hep C Awareness 2006-07 516,430 
			 Health DoH Choice Campaign 2006-07 22,245 
			 Health NHSBSA Help with Health Costs 2006-07 69,026 
			 Health Tobacco Smokefree 2007-08 237,678 
			 Health and Safety Executive Falls from Height 2006-07 813,298 
			 Health and Safety Executive HSE Asbestos 2006-07 48,426 
			 Health and Safety Executive HSE Workplace Health 2006-07 90,414 
			 Health and Safety Executive HSE Backs 2006-07 1,597,220 
			 Health and Safety Executive HSE Recruitment Advertising 2006-07 78,715 
			 Health and Safety Executive HSE Miscellaneous 2006-07 5,871 
			 Health and Safety Executive HSE Dermatitis Campaign 2006-07 39,020 
			 Health and Safety Executive HSE Telegraph Business Club 2006-07 56,843 
			 Health and Safety Executive Respiratory Disease Briefs 2006-07 9,424 
			 HM Court Service Operation Payback 4 2006-07 20,837 
			 Home Office Rape 2006-07 280,022 
			 Home Office Single Non Emergency Number 2006-07 780,325 
			 Home Office Acquisitive Crime Reduction 2006-07 3,266,192 
			 Home Office Domestic Violence 200607 800,384 
			 Home Office Home Office Classified Advertising 2006-07 22,004 
			 Home Office Police Community Support Officers 2006-07 1,748,743 
			 Home Office AMEC 2006-07 231,713 
			 Home Office Knife Amnesty 2006-07 137,083 
			 Home Office Home Office Stop and Search 2006-07 134,501 
			 Home Office Alcohol 2006-07 1,975,005 
			 Home Office Child Protection on the Internet 2006-07 46,824 
			 Home Office Immigration 2006-07 790,860 
			 Home Office, Health, Education and Skills Frank 2006-07 3,467,021 
			 Identity and Passport Service IPS Passport Fees 2006-07 83,270 
			 International Development DFID White Paper 2006-07 103,201 
			 Job Centre Plus Job Centre Plus Q4 Activity 2006-07 1,116,121 
			 Land Registry Land Registry Classified Advertising 2006-07 312,431 
			 Learning and Skills Council EMA Activity May to June 2006-07 1,774,305 
			 Learning and Skills Council LSC Train to Gain 2006-07 1,455,907 
			 Learning and Skills Council EMA Activity August 2006-07 411,832 
			 Learning and Skills Council LSC Classified Advertising 2006-07 4,046 
			 Learning and Skills Council National Skills Academies 2006-07 199,118 
			 Learning and Skills Council EMA Activity (February to March) 2006-07 1,724,718 
			 MoD MOD Veterans Ad 2006-07 41,316 
			 National Blood Service National Blood Service 2006-07 2,394,790 
			 NHS NHS Graduate Recruitment 2006-07 45,988 
			 OFSTED OFSTED Classified Advertising 2006-07 4,171 
			 OFT Consumer Direct 2006-07 228,497 
			 OFT Consumer Direct II 2006-07 106,755 
			 QCA QCA Classified Advertising 2006-07 2,303 
			 QCA QCA 2006-07 45,142 
			 QCA Optional TestsKey Stage III 2006-07 22,073 
			 Revenue and Customs Anti Tobacco Smuggling 2006-07 91,993 
			 Revenue and Customs Self Assessment 2006-07 3,009,975 
			 Revenue and Customs Child Trust Fund 2006-07 1,864,310 
			 Revenue and Customs Tax Credits 2006-07 4,539,524 
			 Revenue and Customs Duty Stamps 2006-07 767,119 
			 Revenue and Customs VAT Simplified Schemes 2006-07 136,416 
			 Revenue and Customs Share Fishermen 2006-07 33,052 
			 Revenue and Customs PAYE 2006-07 391,514 
			 Revenue and Customs Construction Industry Scheme 2006-07 996,495 
			 Revenue and Customs Tax Evasion Campaign 2006-07 1,378,710 
			 Revenue and Customs Cross Tax 2006-07 1,308,664 
			 Revenue and Customs Frontiers 2006-07 43,794 
			 Revenue and Customs HMRC Miscellaneous 2006-07 5,596 
			 Revenue and Customs EU Enlargement 2006-07 73,784 
			 Royal Air Force RAF Miscellaneous Recruitment Ads 2006-07 2,526,324 
			 Royal Air Force RAF Air Cadets 2006-07 150,566 
			 Royal Navy Royal Navy Recruitment 2006-07 2,383,282 
			 Security Industry Authority SIAACS Awareness 2006-07 12,725 
			 Security Industry Authority Security Industry Authority 2006-07 35,302 
			 Social Care Inspection CSCI Advertorials 2006-07 66,925 
			 Sport England Sport England 2006-07 194,371 
			 Trade and Industry Consumer DirectThomson Directories 2006-07 581,424 
			 Trade and Industry DTI Classified Recruitment 2006-07 11,457 
			 Training and Development Agency for Schools Training and Development Agency for Schools 2006-07 7,550,986 
			 Transport DfT Campaigns 2006-07 12,021,791 
			 Transport DfT Classified Advertising 2006-07 41,393 
			 UFI UFI Learn Direct Advice 2006-07 3,839,967 
			 UFI Learn Direct Courses 2006-07 1,068,033 
			 UFI My Guide 2006-07 226,351 
			 UFI UFI Business 2006-07 102,865 
			 UFI UFI Cymru 2006-07 15,939 
			 Visit Britain Visit Britain Campaigns 2006-07 1,192,311 
			 Welsh Assembly Government Waste Awareness Wales 2006-07 322,773 
			 Welsh Assembly Government WAG Miscellaneous 2006-07 62,102 
			 Welsh Assembly Government WAG Cessation Anti-Smoking 2006-07 147,562 
			 Welsh Assembly Government Welsh Backs 2006-07 118,520 
			 Welsh Assembly Government WAG Smoking Ban and SHS in Public Places 2006-07 578,830 
			 Welsh Assembly Government WAG Climate Change 2006-07 33,340 
			 Welsh Assembly Government Firebrake Wales 2006-07 26,112 
			 Welsh Assembly Government Wales Mobile Phone Media Campaign 2006-07 48,404 
			 Work and Pensions DWP Classified Advertising 2006-07 71,358 
			 Work and Pensions Pension Credit ATL Q3-Q4 2006-07 398,323 
			 Work and Pensions Pension Credit ATL Q2 2006-07 197,210 
			 Work and Pensions Winter Fuel 2006-07 326,509 
			 Work and Pensions Benefit Fraud 2006-07 (some activity media only) 5,272,160 
			 Work and Pensions Child Support Agency Communications Campaign 2006-07 107,269 
			 Work and Pensions Benefit Error 2006-07 43,991 
			 Work and Pensions Office of Disability 2006-07 59,435 
			 Youth Justice Board Youth Justice Board Classified Advertising 2006-07 25,464

Central Office of Information: Advertising

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of Central Office of Information public advertising campaigns; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Watson: holding answer 29 April 2008
	There are strict rules to ensure value for money on Government advertising. The Central Office of Information is responsible for the cost-efficient procurement of advertising for the Departments that use its services. COI secured a 46 per cent. reduction in media costs measured against recognised industry benchmarks in 2006-07.
	COI's own effectiveness is monitored by the National Audit Office, by independent private sector auditors, as well as by GSMAB,

Employment

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many  (a) UK born and  (b) non-UK born people of working age there were in employment in each year from 1997 to 2007, reflecting before and after reweighting as set out in table one of the ONS document, Employment of Foreign Workers in the United Kingdom (1997-2008).

Tom Watson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated June 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many a) UK born and b) non UK born people in employment of working age there were in each year from 1997 to 2007, reflecting before and after reweighting as set out in table one of the ONS document, Employment of Foreign Workers in the United Kingdom (1997 to 2008).
	The Office for National Statistics provided the information in table one of the article using the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The National Statistics method for estimating the number of migrant workers employed in the UK is based on the number of people at a given time who were born outside the UK, age 16 or over, and in employment. However, because you have requested that the estimates are provided on the basis of working age, as in table one of the article, your question has been answered on this basis.
	It should be noted that because country of birth is used to define foreign workers some people who are UK nationals will be included in the estimates. The employment levels are defined following International Labour Organisation definitions.
	Table 1, attached, shows estimates of the total number of persons employed for UK and non UK born, using both 2003 and 2007 population estimates for those years that are available. Estimates using the 2003 weights are not available for the years 1998 and 2000.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Table 1: People in employment of working age( 1)  by country of birth( 2)  in the United Kingdom for the three months ending June each year 
			  Million and percentage 
			   UK born  Non-UK born  Total( 3) 
			   Before reweight  After reweight  Before reweight  After reweight  Before reweight  After reweight 
			 1997 24 24 2 2 26 26 
			 1998 (4) 24 (4) 2 (4) 26 
			 1999 24 24 2 2 26 26 
			 2000 (4) 24 (4) 2 (4) 27 
			 2001 24 25 2 2 27 27 
			 2002 24 25 2 2 27 27 
			 2003 24 25 2 3 27 27 
			 2004 24 25 3 3 27 27 
			 2005 24 25 3 3 27 28 
			 2006 24 25 3 3 27 28 
			 2007 24 25 3 3 27 28 
			 (1) Working age is 16-59 for females and 16-64 for males. (2) The country of birth question in the LFS may undercount the number of foreign born because: it excludes students in halls of residence who do not have a UK resident parent it excludes people in most types of communal establishments (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites) it is grossed to population estimates that only include long-term migrants (staying 12 months or more). (3) Totals include those employed but did not state country of birth. (4) Estimates are not available for this period.  Source: Labour Force Survey.

Food

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much food waste  (a) the Cabinet Office and  (b) the Prime Minister's Office generated in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The Prime Minister's Office forms an integral part of the Cabinet Office estate. The Cabinet Office does not monitor how much food waste it generates. Where it has been practical to do so, food composting facilities have been installed.

Foreign Workers

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the top 20 nationalities in the category, Rest of the World in table three of the ONS document, Employment of Foreign Workers in the United Kingdom (1997 to 2008) were in each year since 1997.

Tom Watson: The information requested falls with the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated June 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for the top 20 nationalities in the category, Rest of the World in table three of the ONS document, Employment of Foreign Workers in the United Kingdom (1997 to 2008) in each year since 1997.
	The Office for National Statistics provided the information in table three of the article using the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The National Statistics method for estimating the number of migrant workers employed in the UK is based on the number of people at a given time who were born outside the UK, age 16 or over, and in employment. This question has been answered on this basis. It means, for example, that some people who are UK nationals will be included in the total. Those in employment are defined following International Labour Organisation definitions.
	Table 1, attached, shows estimates of the total number of persons employed who were born outside the UK, for the top 20 countries that were part of the Rest of the World category in table 3, for the time period requested. It should be noted that the EU15 (the UK and 14 European Union member States) and the eight countries that joined the EU in 2004 are excluded from the top 20 ranking.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. This should be taken into account when basing conclusions on the ranking of the countries provided.
	
		
			  Employment levels( 1)  of the top 20 foreign countries of birth( 2, 3 ) from excluding the EU15 and A8 1997 to 2008( 4) 
			  Thousand 
			  Rank  Country  Levels 
			  1997   
			 1 India 197 
			 2 Pakistan 80 
			 3 Kenya 76 
			 4 Jamaica 63 
			 5 USA 62 
			 6 South Africa 54 
			 7 Australia 49 
			 8 Bangladesh 42 
			 9 Hong Kong 39 
			 10 Canada 35 
			 11 Uganda 32 
			 12 Nigeria 32 
			 13 Singapore 29 
			 14 New Zealand 29 
			 15 Cyprus 28 
			 16 Ghana 25 
			 17 Tanzania 25 
			 18 Malaysia 24 
			 19 Sri Lanka 22 
			 20 Philippines 22 
			
			  1998   
			 1 India 224 
			 2 Kenya 89 
			 3 Pakistan 75 
			 4 USA 75 
			 5 Jamaica 69 
			 6 South Africa 55 
			 7 Australia 45 
			 8 Hong Kong 44 
			 9 Bangladesh 44 
			 10 Canada 42 
			 11 Uganda 40 
			 12 Cyprus 35 
			 13 Nigeria 33 
			 14 New Zealand 32 
			 15 Sri Lanka 28 
			 16 Malaysia 26 
			 17 Tanzania 25 
			 18 Singapore 25 
			 19 Ghana 23 
			 20 Zimbabwe 21 
			
			  1999   
			 1 India 210 
			 2 Kenya 92 
			 3 USA 82 
			 4 Pakistan 80 
			 5 South Africa 68 
			 6 Jamaica 56 
			 7 Bangladesh 55 
			 8 Australia 52 
			 9 Nigeria 44 
			 10 Canada 42 
			 11 Cyprus 38 
			 12 Hong Kong 37 
			 13 New Zealand 36 
			 14 Singapore 32 
			 15 Uganda 32 
			 16 Ghana 27 
			 17 Sri Lanka 26 
			 18 Tanzania 19 
			 19 Malaysia 19 
			 20 Zimbabwe 19 
			
			  2000   
			 1 India 209 
			 2 Pakistan 100 
			 3 Kenya 81 
			 4 Australia 77 
			 5 United States 70 
			 6 South Africa 69 
			 7 Jamaica 54 
			 8 Bangladesh 44 
			 9 Nigeria 41 
			 10 Sri Lanka 36 
			 11 Cyprus 33 
			 12 Canada 32 
			 13 New Zealand 29 
			 14 Hong Kong 28 
			 15 Malaysia 27 
			 16 Singapore 27 
			 17 Uganda 26 
			 18 Turkey 26 
			 19 Zanzibar (Tanzania) 25 
			 20 Malta 24 
			
			  2001   
			 1 India 202 
			 2 Kenya 98 
			 3 Pakistan 97 
			 4 South Africa 89 
			 5 United States 86 
			 6 Australia 70 
			 7 Bangladesh 59 
			 8 Jamaica 58 
			 9 Nigeria 45 
			 10 Uganda 38 
			 11 Hong Kong 37 
			 12 Philippines 37 
			 13 New Zealand 36 
			 14 Canada 36 
			 15 Sri Lanka 36 
			 16 Cyprus 34 
			 17 Zimbabwe 33 
			 18 Singapore 29 
			 19 Ghana 28 
			 20 Malaysia 27 
			
			  2002   
			 1 India 203 
			 2 Pakistan 110 
			 3 South Africa 90 
			 4 Kenya 83 
			 5 United States 78 
			 6 Jamaica 70 
			 7 Australia 69 
			 8 Bangladesh 59 
			 9 Sri Lanka 51 
			 10 Nigeria 45 
			 11 New Zealand 44 
			 12 Zimbabwe 43 
			 13 Hong Kong 43 
			 14 Canada 39 
			 15 Malaysia 35 
			 16 Uganda 34 
			 17 Cyprus 34 
			 18 Philippines 33 
			 19 Singapore 31 
			 20 Ghana 30 
			
			  2003   
			 1 India 230 
			 2 South Africa 114 
			 3 Pakistan 107 
			 4 Kenya 85 
			 5 United States 81 
			 6 Australia 77 
			 7 Bangladesh 57 
			 8 Zimbabwe 54 
			 9 Jamaica 53 
			 10 Canada 52 
			 11 Nigeria 50 
			 12 Philippines 44 
			 13 New Zealand 42 
			 14 Ghana 42 
			 15 Sri Lanka 40 
			 16 Hong Kong 38 
			 17 Uganda 38 
			 18 Malaysia 38 
			 19 Cyprus 31 
			 20 Singapore 30 
			
			  2004   
			 1 India 233 
			 2 South Africa 134 
			 3 Pakistan 104 
			 4 Kenya 85 
			 5 Bangladesh 83 
			 6 United States 78 
			 7 Australia 73 
			 8 Jamaica 60 
			 9 Zimbabwe 57 
			 10 Hong Kong 54 
			 11 Nigeria 50 
			 12 Philippines 47 
			 13 New Zealand 42 
			 14 Canada 41 
			 15 Ghana 40 
			 16 Sri Lanka 38 
			 17 Uganda 35 
			 18 Singapore 34 
			 19 Turkey 30 
			 20 Malaysia 29 
			
			  2005   
			 1 India 258 
			 2 South Africa 134 
			 3 Australia 100 
			 4 Pakistan 92 
			 5 Kenya 88 
			 6 United States 86 
			 7 Bangladesh 72 
			 8 Zimbabwe 72 
			 9 Jamaica 61 
			 10 Sri Lanka 55 
			 11 Canada 53 
			 12 Philippines 52 
			 13 Nigeria 52 
			 14 New Zealand 51 
			 15 Ghana 50 
			 16 Hong Kong 49 
			 17 Uganda 46 
			 18 Cyprus 41 
			 19 Malaysia 40 
			 20 Singapore 30 
			
			  2006   
			 1 India 315 
			 2 South Africa 135 
			 3 Pakistan 106 
			 4 United States 101 
			 5 Kenya 91 
			 6 Australia 90 
			 7 Bangladesh 86 
			 8 Zimbabwe 74 
			 9 Nigeria 74 
			 10 Philippines 64 
			 11 Ghana 63 
			 12 Sri Lanka 58 
			 13 Jamaica 56 
			 14 Hong Kong 43 
			 15 Cyprus 41 
			 16 Canada 41 
			 17 Uganda 39 
			 18 New Zealand 38 
			 19 Malaysia 38 
			 20 China 37 
			
			  2007   
			 1 India 324 
			 2 Pakistan 149 
			 3 South Africa 132 
			 4 United States 110 
			 5 Nigeria 98 
			 6 Bangladesh 93 
			 7 Kenya 85 
			 8 Australia 83 
			 9 Jamaica 73 
			 10 Zimbabwe 70 
			 11 Ghana 70 
			 12 Philippines 66 
			 13 Sri Lanka 61 
			 14 New Zealand 44 
			 15 Canada 39 
			 16 Hong Kong 38 
			 17 Malaysia 34 
			 18 Uganda 34 
			 19 China 32 
			 20 Turkey 31 
			
			  2008   
			 1 India 326 
			 2 Pakistan 168 
			 3 South Africa 154 
			 4 United States 104 
			 5 Australia 95 
			 6 Nigeria 95 
			 7 Kenya 92 
			 8 Jamaica 72 
			 9 Philippines 69 
			 10 Zimbabwe 68 
			 11 Bangladesh 66 
			 12 Sri Lanka 66 
			 13 Ghana 59 
			 14 Hong Kong 50 
			 15 China 50 
			 16 New Zealand 38 
			 17 Brazil 38 
			 18 Uganda 35 
			 19 Romania 33 
			 20 Malaysia 33 
			 (1) Levels of employment are provided for the population aged 16 and over. (2) The country of birth question in the LFS may undercount foreign born because: it excludes students in halls of residence who do not have a UK resident parent it excludes people in most types of communal establishments (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites) it is grossed to population estimates that only include long-term migrants (staying 12 months or more). (3) Countries not included include the UK, EU14 and A8 countries. (4) The figures presented are weighted to population estimates published in 2007.  Source: Labour Force Survey

Government Departments: Data Protection

Greg Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what reports Nick Coleman has provided under commission to the Cabinet Office in the last two years.

Tom Watson: holding answer 14 March 2008
	For details of the work Nick Coleman has been commissioned to provide, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 19 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 688-89W.

Government Departments: Internet

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how much was received in subscription charges to the governmentfunding.org.uk website in each of the last three years;
	(2)  what the average subscription charge for the governmentfunding.org.uk website is; and what average sum was received from (i) voluntary, (ii) statutory and (iii) commercial organisations in the last period for which figures are available;
	(3)  how many  (a) voluntary,  (b) commercial and  (c) statutory organisations (i) subscribe, (ii) subscribed in each of the last three years to the governmentfunding.org.uk website and (iii) are eligible to pay subscription fees.

Phil Hope: The Government Funding Portal helps third sector organisations to locate and apply for Government grants. The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) provides grant funding for the Directory for Social Change (DSC) to manage the portal. This year they are introducing charges for users of the service they provide at a rate of 75.00 for organisations with an income of above 500,000 per year. The amount they receive from introducing charges this year for third sector organisations is a matter for DSC. The Office of the Third Sector's grant in 2008-09 to DSC will subsidise third sector organisations with an income of less than 500,000 per year.
	The future provision of the portal will be put out to tender in accordance with standard procurement practice and Treasury Managing Public Money principles during the year.

Internet: Safety

James Brokenshire: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the budget for the Get Safe Online website is for 2008-09.

Edward Miliband: The budget for the website is a matter for getsafeonline.org. It is funded through contributions by private and public sector organisations to promote internet safety among the general public and small businesses.
	The Cabinet Office contribution for 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008 was 150,000, The contribution for next year will be announced shortly.

Ministers: Official Residences

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the Answer of 24th April 2008,  Official Report, column 2174W, on Ministers: official residences, what the budgeted cost of the redecoration undertaken as part of the lifecycle programme was.

Phil Hope: The lifecycle programme is delivered in the context of entire buildings and does not ascribe budget costs to individual rooms.

Unemployment: Young People

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the rate of youth unemployment was in Hemel Hempstead constituency at the end of each month since January 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Watson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated June 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the rate of youth unemployment was in Hemel Hempstead Constituency at the end of each month since January 2005.
	The Office for National Statistics compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation definitions. Unfortunately, sample sizes are too small to produce estimates of the rate of youth unemployment in the Hemel Hempstead constituency.
	As an alternative, table 1 attached, shows the percentage of persons aged 18-24 claiming Job Seekers Allowance in the Hemel Hempstead constituency for each month since January 2005.
	These figures, along with many other labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available for the Hemel Hempstead Parliamentary Constituency on the NOMIS website at:
	https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/pca/2030043201/report.aspx
	
		
			  Table 1: Percentage of persons aged 18-24, claiming jobseeker's allowance resident in the Hemel Hempstead parliamentary constituency, January 2005 to April 2008 
			  Period  Rate( 1) 
			  2005  
			 January 4 
			 February 4 
			 March 4 
			 April 4 
			 May 4 
			 June 4 
			 July 4 
			 August 5 
			 September 5 
			 October 4 
			 November 4 
			 December 4 
			   
			  2006  
			 January 4 
			 February 5 
			 March 5 
			 April 5 
			 May 5 
			 June 5 
			 July 5 
			 August 5 
			 September 5 
			 October 5 
			 November 5 
			 December 4 
			   
			  2007  
			 January 4 
			 February 5 
			 March 5 
			 April 4 
			 May 4 
			 June 4 
			 July 4 
			 August 4 
			 September 4 
			 October 3 
			 November 3 
			 December 3 
			   
			  2008  
			 January 3 
			 February 4 
			 March 4 
			 April 4 
			 (1) Rates for all periods are based on mid-2005 population estimates.  Source: Jobcentre Plus administrative system.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Academies

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has to allow consortiums of secondary schools to become single academies; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: While the large majority of individual academies replace an existing underperforming school, a number of academies are the result of local authority reorganisation, and may replace one or more schools with a single academy.

Children in Care

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what his most recent estimate is of the number of looked-after children in each region receiving treatment or counselling for mental health problems;
	(2)  how many looked-after children in each local authority were moved to different placements in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: Information on the number of looked after children in each region receiving treatment or counselling for mental health problems is not collected centrally. A range of measures to improve the health of looked after children were set out in the white paper Care Matters: Time for Change. We have recently introduced an outcome measure on the emotional health of looked after children in the local government national indicator set. The first data will be collected in April 2009. We will also publish revised guidance on promoting the health of looked after children which, for the first time, will be statutory for health bodies as well as local authorities. This will include guidance on the provision of targeted child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) for looked after children.
	Information on the number of looked after children in each local authority that moved to different placements during the year ending 31 March 2007 has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
	
		
			  Children looked after during year ending 31 March 2007 who had more than one placement during the year( 1, 2, 3, 4) 
			   Number of children 
			 England 27,800 
			  North East 1,620 
			 Darlington 80 
			 Durham 245 
			 Gateshead 150 
			 Hartlepool 70 
			 Middlesbrough 130 
			 Newcastle Upon Tyne 205 
			 North Tyneside 125 
			 Northumberland 155 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 70 
			 South Tyneside 120 
			 Stockton-On-Tees 110 
			 Sunderland 160 
			   
			  North West 4,440 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 135 
			 Blackpool 125 
			 Bolton 155 
			 Bury 110 
			 Cheshire 265 
			 Cumbria 180 
			 Halton 60 
			 Knowsley 120 
			 Lancashire 565 
			 Liverpool 335 
			 Manchester 620 
			 Oldham 170 
			 Rochdale 130 
			 Salford 240 
			 Sefton 175 
			 St. Helens 135 
			 Stockport 165 
			 Tameside 140 
			 Trafford 85 
			 Warrington 75 
			 Wigan 185 
			 Wirral 260 
			   
			  Yorkshire and The Humber 2,950 
			 Barnsley 110 
			 Bradford 335 
			 Calderdale 130 
			 Doncaster 220 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 140 
			 Kingston Upon Hull, City of 265 
			 Kirklees 185 
			 Leeds 480 
			 North East Lincolnshire 75 
			 North Lincolnshire 80 
			 North Yorkshire 185 
			 Rotherham 155 
			 Sheffield 370 
			 Wakefield 135 
			 York 90 
			   
			  East Midlands 1,640 
			 Derby 170 
			 Derbyshire 230 
			 Leicester 175 
			 Leicestershire 175 
			 Lincolnshire 200 
			 Northamptonshire 300 
			 Nottingham 235 
			 Nottinghamshire 145 
			 Rutland 10 
			   
			  West Midlands 3,290 
			 Birmingham 870 
			 Coventry 240 
			 Dudley 165 
			 Herefordshire 65 
			 Sandwell 230 
			 Shropshire 95 
			 Solihull 150 
			 Staffordshire 305 
			 Stoke-On-Trent 245 
			 Telford and Wrekin 115 
			 Walsall 190 
			 Warwickshire 255 
			 Wolverhampton 170 
			 Worcestershire 190 
			   
			  East of England 2,520 
			 Bedfordshire 120 
			 Cambridgeshire 155 
			 Essex 620 
			 Hertfordshire 395 
			 Luton 175 
			 Norfolk 340 
			 Peterborough 175 
			 Southend-on-Sea 130 
			 Suffolk 300 
			 Thurrock 95 
			   
			  London 5,320 
			  Inner London 2,530 
			 Camden 125 
			 City Of London  
			 Hackney 210 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 170 
			 Haringey 245 
			 Islington 185 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 95 
			 Lambeth 275 
			 Lewisham 230 
			 Newham 275 
			 Southwark 290 
			 Tower Hamlets 170 
			 Wandsworth 115 
			 Westminster 140 
			   
			  Outer London 2,790 
			 Barking and Dagenham 200 
			 Barnet 165 
			 Bexley 105 
			 Brent 225 
			 Bromley 70 
			 Croydon 425 
			 Ealing 200 
			 Enfield 140 
			 Greenwich 225 
			 Harrow 55 
			 Havering 95 
			 Hillingdon 290 
			 Hounslow 155 
			 Kingston Upon Thames 45 
			 Merton 45 
			 Redbridge 100 
			 Richmond Upon Thames 50 
			 Sutton 65 
			 Waltham Forest 140 
			   
			  South East 3,480 
			 Bracknell Forest 55 
			 Brighton and Hove 215 
			 Buckinghamshire 120 
			 East Sussex 195 
			 Hampshire 545 
			 Isle Of Wight 90 
			 Kent 540 
			 Medway Towns 95 
			 Milton Keynes 140 
			 Oxfordshire 210 
			 Portsmouth 100 
			 Reading 105 
			 Slough 65 
			 Southampton 180 
			 Surrey 355 
			 West Berkshire 35 
			 West Sussex 365 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 35 
			 Wokingham 40 
			   
			  South West 2,490 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 45 
			 Bournemouth 65 
			 Bristol, City of 315 
			 Cornwall 295 
			 Devon 300 
			 Dorset 120 
			 Gloucestershire 210 
			 Isles Of Scilly 0 
			 North Somerset 80 
			 Plymouth 210 
			 Poole 70 
			 Somerset 300 
			 South Gloucestershire 75 
			 Swindon 165 
			 Torbay 100 
			 Wiltshire 140 
			 (1) Source: Figures are taken from the SSDA903 return. (2 )Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short term placements. (3 )Children looked after during the year includes children looked after at 31 March 2007 and who ceased to be looked after during the year. (4 )To maintain the confidentiality of each individual child, data at national level have been rounded to the nearest 100 if they exceed 1,000 or to the nearest 10 otherwise. Figures at local authority level have been rounded to the nearest five and figures at region level to the nearest 10. Where the number was five or less (other than 0) this has been suppressed and replaced with a hyphen (). As a consequence of our rounding and suppression, figures may not sum to the total.

Children: Day Care

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many children attended hospital following an accident within  (a) nurseries and  (b) a childminder's home in (i) Basingstoke constituency, (ii) Hampshire and (iii) England in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many data records have been lost and stolen from nursery premises in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(3)  what the average class size in  (a) maintained and  (b) private, voluntary and independent nurseries was in (i) Basingstoke constituency, (ii) Hampshire and (iii) England at the latest date for which figures are available;
	(4)  what his most recent estimate is of the average time children in childcare settings spent engaged in outdoor physical activity in each of the last five years.

Beverley Hughes: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Children: Day Care

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much and what proportion of the Transformation Fund has been spent; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Graduate Leader Fund (305 million over the CSR period 2008-11) superseded the Transformation Fund on 1 April 2008. Information on the first year of spend (i.e. 2008-09) will be provided to the Department by local authorities through their audited financial statements in the autumn of 2010.

Communication: GCE A-level

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many maintained schools will offer an A level course in communications and culture in the next academic year.

Jim Knight: The information requested is not collected centrally. The latest publication containing information on achievement in A-level qualifications is SFR 02/2008 GCE/VCE A/AS and Equivalent Examination Results in England, 2006/07 (Revised) and can be found at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000769/index.shtml

Departmental Manpower

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of his Department's employees are  (a) male,  (b) female,  (c) from an ethnic minority,  (d) disabled and  (e) not heterosexual; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: In my Department, the breakdown of staff are as follows:
	 (a) 1,132 male (41.9 per cent. of all staff).
	 (b) 1,572 female (58.1 per cent. of all staff).
	 (c) 306 staff declared as from an ethnic minority (11.3 per cent. of all staff), 310 not known (11.5 per cent.), 113 prefer not to say (4.2 per cent.)
	 (d) 189 declared a disability (7.0 per cent.), 310 not known (11.5 per cent.), 120 prefer not to say (4.4 per cent.).
	 (e) 63 declared not heterosexual (2.3 per cent.), 312 sexual orientation not known (11.6 per cent.), 244 prefer not to say (9.0 per cent.).
	These figures are based on self-declaration.

Departmental Pay

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of employees in his Department who received a performance-related bonus at their last appraisal were  (a) male,  (b) female,  (c) from an ethnic minority,  (d) disabled and  (e) not heterosexual; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: My Department was created on 28 June 2007. Information on bonuses for 2008 for all staff will be available when pay negotiations are settled later in the year.

Education Maintenance Allowance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the education maintenance allowance in each year from 2006-07 to 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Expenditure on the education maintenance allowance was 502.9 million in 2006-07 and 533 million in 2007-08.
	The budget allocations for the education maintenance allowance for the CSR period are 2008-09 549 million; 2009-10 529 million; 2010-11 529 million.
	Latest expenditure estimates are 2008-09 531 million; 2009-10 544 million; 2010-11 560 million. DCSF officials are working with the Learning and Skills Council to establish whether these latest estimates are a robust and accurate basis for funding.
	Forecasts of expenditure beyond this period are not available.

Education: Assessments

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what margin of error was permitted by markers passing the standardisation test to mark  (a) Key Stage 2 and  (b) Key Stage 3 national tests in (i) science, (ii) mathematics and (iii) English in each year since 2005; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what requirement there is to provide feedback to markers from their standardisation tests before marking papers; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The National Assessment Agency (NAA) is responsible for the standardisation of markers for National Curriculum tests. I have therefore asked David Gee, Managing Director, NAA, to write to the hon. Member in response to his questions. A copy of his letter has been placed in the Library.
	 Letter from David Gee, dated 29 May 2008:
	Further to your two parliamentary questions to the Secretary of State the National Assessment Agency (NAA) has been asked to place this letter in the House of Commons library as a formal response.
	Marker Standardisation  Mentoring
	The process for the standardisation of markers for National Curriculum Tests has changed in 2008 and therefore there are differences in the way the margin of errors are recorded for the period from 2005 - 2007 and 2008. These are defined in the table enclosed.
	From 2005 - 2007 standardisation and the first sample, submitted at the same time, were the main method for detecting markers who were unable to consistently apply the mark scheme. The second sample, two-thirds of the way through the process, was a final check, but it was rare for a marker to be stopped at this stage. This manual process involved supervising markers checking the marking of those in their team and was very dependent on the individual consistency of the team leaders.
	From 2008, the introduction of the online standardisation and benchmarking processes means that monitoring of markers has become an ongoing process and poor marking can be identified and corrected at several stages throughout the marking activity. The procedures have been designed to detect those markers that are unable to consistently apply the mark scheme and stop them. It also allows team leaders to identify where markers may require mentoring support to improve their marking to ensure that all markers consistently apply the mark scheme.
	The online system for standardisation and benchmarking allows ETS, the test delivery agency, to monitor all markers against an agreed national standard set of scripts at all points in the process; monitoring both marking quality, through benchmarking, and marking progress on a daily basis. This will highlight were additional support may be necessary.
	Team leaders should provide feedback on the standardisation papers completed to all markers in their team. Any markers who failed their first attempt at standardisation will receive mentoring before a second attempt is made. For those markers who have passed standardisation, feedback should take place either before marking starts or very early in the process. Higher priority is given to those markers who have only just managed to pass standardisation. If after mentoring, a marker fails the second attempt at standardisation or benchmarking, the marker is stopped and removed from marking.
	If you are interested further I would be delighted to meet with you once this years tests are completed to give you a full briefing on the work of the NAA in all areas of assessment and school support.
	Please contact my office if you would like to arrange this.
	
		
			  Standardisation and Sampling Metrics 2005 to 2007( 1) 
			2005 to 2007( 1) 
			 Absolute mark difference allowed 
			  Key stage  Subject  Number of scripts in sample  Discretional second sample  Compulsory second sample 
			 2 English reading 10 6-7 8+ 
			  English writing 10 13-22 23+ 
			  Mathematics 10 16-19 20+ 
			  Science 10 11-23 24+ 
			  
			 3 English reading 10 13-22 23+ 
			  English writing 10 24-33 34+ 
			  Mathematics 10 10-19 20+ 
			  Science 10 19-30 31+ 
			 (1 )Data derived from 2007 NCT Policy Document. 
		
	
	
		
			  Standardisation and benchmarking metrics 2008 
			2008 Standardisation  2008 Benchmarking (current 27 May) and may be subject to further tightening. Benchmarking is conducted typically every 90 scripts 
			  Key Stage  Subject  Number of scripts in sample  Percentage exact agreement  Percentage adjacent  Percentage discrepant  Number of scripts in sample  Percentage exact agreement  Percentage adjacent  Percentage discrepant 
			 2 English 5 reading and 10 writing 80 20 6 90 10 
			  Mathematics 5 90 0 10 4 97 0 3 
			  Science 5 90 0 10 4 95 0 5 
			   
			 3 English reading 10 80 20 6 85 15 
			  English writing 10 80 20 6 90 10 
			  Mathematics 6 90 0 10 4 97 0 3 
			  Science 6 90 0 10 4 93 0 7

Education: Assessments

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what representations he has received on the  (a) time taken to mark and  (b) level of error in the marking of the 2008 standard assessment tests.

Jim Knight: None. However, as is usual during the test delivery period, both my Department and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) have received representations about a range of matters relating to national curriculum tests, including marking. The QCA has stated that all schools will receive their results for the tests in key stages 2 and 3 by 8 July 2008.

Education: European Union

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what representations he has received on the  (a) balance and  (b) accuracy of the content of the (i) Passport to the European Union and (ii) The EU: what's in it for me booklets for 10 to 12-year-olds, produced by the European Commission.

Jim Knight: I am not aware of any representations to this Department concerning these two publications.

Education: European Union

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what distribution of the  (a) Passport to the European Union and  (b) The EU: what's in it for me booklets for 10 to 12-year-olds, produced by the European Commission there has been to schools in England; and how many of each have been distributed.

Jim Knight: These booklets are produced and distributed on request by the European Commission Representation in the UK. This Department has not been involved in the distribution. I am therefore unable to provide distribution figures.

Education: Warrington

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much capital funding for educational-related projects his Department allocated to Warrington Borough Council for 2007-08.

Jim Knight: Warrington local authority was allocated 9.2 million of capital support in 2007-08 for investment in school projects. A further 43.5 million of capital support has been allocated for school projects for the period 2008-09 to 2010-11. In addition, Warrington is currently receiving capital support, which will total 23.8 million, through the BSF one-school pathfinder scheme to renew one of its secondary schools with high building need.
	Also, in 2007-08, the Youth Capital fund committed 0.11 million towards Warrington council, in addition to an Option for ExcellenceICT capital grant of 0.03 million. Lastly, 1.64 million was allocated in relation to Sure Start child care centres.

Education: Young Offender Institutions

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many qualified teachers are employed to provide education services in young offender institutions.

Beverley Hughes: This information is not collected centrally.

Education: Young Offender Institutions

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many hours of education per week are offered on average to inmates of young offender institutions.

Beverley Hughes: The YJB performance statistics for 2006/07 show that young people aged between 15 and 17-years-old in juvenile young offender institutions (YOIs) received an average of 26 hours education, training and employment (ETE) activity per week.
	The information for young adults in YOIs who are 18 to 20-years-old, in the format requested, is not collected centrally.

Education: Young Offender Institutions

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what targets exist for provision of education for inmates of young offender institutions.

Beverley Hughes: The Youth Justice Board requires that young people (aged 15-17 years old) in the juvenile prison estate receive 25 hours of learning, training and personal development activity per week. The YJB performance statistics for 2006/07 show that young people received an average of 26 hours per week.
	For young adult offenders in Young Offender Institutions (i.e. 18-20 year olds), the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) started to implement an integrated Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) across England from August 2005. The LSC's providers are required to deliver the service set out in the 'Offenders Learning Journey' which specifies minimum standards for education and vocational training for offenders in Young Offender Institutions.

Extended Schools

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 8 May 2008,  Official Report, column 1139W, on extended schools, how many and what proportion of secondary schools provided the full core offer of extended services in each year for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: The following table shows the number and proportion of secondary schools providing access to the full core offer of services from 2006 onwards. These figures are derived from the TDA database based on returns from local authorities.
	
		
			   Number of secondary schools providing access to the full core offer  Percentage of secondary schools providing access to the full core offer 
			 September 2006 711 21 
			 September 2007 1,500 44 
			 May 2008 (as at 22 May) 2,080 62 
		
	
	There are many other secondary schools which are already providing access to parts of the core offer that are not yet included in these figures. Monthly variations can occur, resulting in figures going down as well as up, for example as a result of local school reorganisations.

Primary Education: Admissions

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what forecasts of the demand and supply for primary school places  (a) his Department and  (b) other agencies for which he is responsible have published in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department does not publish forecasts of the demand and supply for primary school places. LAs prepare their own pupil number forecasts based on local knowledge and the Department collects this information on an annual basisfive years ahead at primary level and seven years ahead at secondary level. The Department does not publish the data but LAs may publish their own forecasts.

Primary Education: Greater London

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what information his Department holds on the  (a) demand for and  (b) supply of primary school places in each London borough in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department collects information from each local authority on the supply of school places through an annual survey. The most recent data available are for 2007. The number of school places was not collected in 2002 to allow for a change in the method of assessing school capacity. Currently the number of school places is calculated using the net capacity method of assessment which was introduced in 2003. Prior to 2003 the capacity of a school was calculated using the MOE (More Open Enrolment) method.
	The available information on the number of pupils in schools in each local authority is derived from data collected via the School Census and is published annually by the Department.
	The table provides the available information for a selection of years within the requested period. Figures for each of the last 10 years could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
	
		
			  Maintained primary schools( 1) : number of school places and headcount of pupils( 2) ,  1998,  2001,  2003,  2007 ,  London local authority areas 
			1998  2001  2004  2007 
			Number of school places( 3)  Number of pupils  Number of school places( 3)  Number of pupils  Number of school places( 3)  Number of pupils  Number of school places( 3)  Number of pupils 
			   London 580,162 631,453 601,505 639,666 620,123 627,444 615,169 627,022 
			   
			   Inner London 213,357 228,069 219,678 232,551 225,237 229,675 223,413 228,186 
			 202 Camden 10,425 11,464 10,861 11,614 11,194 11,440 10,922 11,422 
			 201 City of London 210 204 210 225 210 220 210 225 
			 204 Hackney 17,166 17,985 17,497 18,053 17,577 17,948 17,267 17,893 
			 205 Hammersmith and Fulham 9,493 9,475 9,230 9,467 9,606 9,790 9,367 9,736 
			 309 Haringey 19,156 21,786 19,966 22,362 21,203 21,868 21,148 21,791 
			 206 Islington 16,039 16,219 15,892 15,720 14,912 14,715 14,165 14,035 
			 207 Kensington and Chelsea 6,641 6,675 7,087 7,027 6,940 7,022 6,975 7,025 
			 208 Lambeth 20,661 19,753 19,536 20,020 19,175 19,843 19,423 20,109 
			 209 Lewisham 19,732 22,147 20,418 22,897 22,262 22,078 22,079 21,785 
			 316 Newham 27,056 29,181 28,341 31,292 29,767 31,129 29,958 30,579 
			 210 Southwark 21,265 23,505 22,816 24,068 24,075 23,506 23,655 22,535 
			 211 Tower Hamlets 21,940 22,166 22,051 21 ,989 21,308 22,183 21,351 22,531 
			 212 Wandsworth 14,555 17,783 16,699 17,615 17,077 17,117 16,962 17,453 
			 213 Westminster 9,018 9,726 9,074 10,202 9,931 10,816 9,931 11 ,067 
			   
			   Outer London 366,805 403,384 381,827 407,115 394,886 397,769 391,756 398,836 
			 301 Barking and Dagenham 16,663 18,157 17,427 18,638 17,831 18,451 17,919 18,756 
			 302 Barnet 23,594 26,177 23,770 26,504 25,789 25,810 25,006 25,969 
			 303 Bexley 20,466 22,703 21,062 22,551 21,038 21,467 20,280 20,460 
			 304 Brent 19,629 22,428 20,976 22,903 22,964 22,817 22,905 23,308 
			 305 Bromley 19,199 24,670 21,960 24,848 24,218 24,196 25,096 23,555 
			 306 Croydon 28,722 31,062 29,918 31,305 30,222 30,272 29,338 29,243 
			 307 Ealing 25,084 27,325 25,913 27,118 25,369 26,184 25,235 26,548 
			 308 Enfield 23,376 26,462 24,761 27,094 26,217 26,813 26,719 27,423 
			 203 Greenwich 20,692 21,665 21,071 21,033 20,638 20,601 20,617 20,880 
			 310 Harrow 19,786 20,128 20,466 19,868 21,182 19,511 20,421 19,551 
			 311 Havering 20,915 21,131 22,096 20,923 20,401 20,103 20,198 19,123 
			 312 Hillingdon 21,176 22,798 21,966 24,422 23,700 24,204 23,579 24,205 
			 313 Hounslow 19,332 19,716 18,576 19,439 18,700 18,966 18,494 19,062 
			 314 Kingston upon Thames 9,188 11,591 10,009 11,827 11,169 11,217 11,047 11,617 
			 315 Merton 13,798 16,252 13,608 15,544 15,266 14,549 14,787 15,076 
			 317 Redbridge 20,189 22,011 21,007 23,872 22,208 23,640 22,159 24,461 
			 318 Richmond upon Thames 11,307 12,246 11,559 12,370 13,311 12,560 13,538 13,005 
			 319 Sutton 13,027 14,859 14,407 14,714 14,289 15,139 13,688 14,724 
			 320 Waltham Forest 20,662 22,003 21,275 22,142 20,374 21,269 20,730 21,870 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Pupil numbers exclude dually registered pupils. (3) Capacity of school was calculated using the MOE (More Open Enrolment) method prior to 2003. (4) Number of school places is calculated using the net capacity method of assessment, which was introduced in 2003.  Sources: Surplace Places Survey School Census

Pupil Referral Units

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children were educated in pupil referral units in  (a) 2007,  (b) 2006 and  (c) 2005.

Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to PQ 201135 on 28 April 2008,  Official Report, column 214W.

Pupil Referral Units: General Certificate of Secondary Education

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many pupils educated in pupil referral units achieved five GCSEs at grade A* to C in the last academic year for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many pupils educated in pupil referral units achieved GCSEs at grades A* to C in English, mathematics and science and at least two other subjects in the last academic year for which figures are available;
	(3)  how many pupils educated in pupil referral units attained no GCSEs at grades A* to G in the last academic year for which figures are available;
	(4)  in how many pupil referral units 25 per cent. or more of pupils obtained GCSEs at grades A* to C in  (a) 2007,  (b) 2006 and  (c) 2005;
	(5)  in how many pupil referral units no pupils obtained GCSEs at grades A* to C in English, mathematics, science and two other subjects in  (a) 2007,  (b) 2006 and  (c) 2005.

Kevin Brennan: I refer the hon. Member to the answers to PQ195329 on 20 March 2008,  Official Report, column 1417W, and PQ196324 on 26 March 2008,  Official Report, column 320W, which give information on the attainment of 15-year-olds in pupil referral units. Further information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Pupils: Epilepsy

Celia Barlow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many children in maintained schools have been diagnosed with epilepsy;
	(2)  what proportion of school children with epilepsy have been identified as having special educational needs.

Jim Knight: Information on pupil's medical conditions is not collected centrally. However, a number of children who have epilepsy as a medical condition also have a special educational need (SEN) and we do collect information on children's type of SEN.
	Information on the number of pupils at School Action Plus and with SEN statements by primary type of need can be found in table 9 of the Statistical First Release Pupil Characteristics and Class Sizes in Maintained Schools in England: January 2008 which can be found at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000786/index .shtml
	Children with epilepsy who also have SEN are likely to be included in categories such as physical disability, autistic spectrum disorder and other difficulty/disability.

Schools: Admissions

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the effect of allocations to academy schools by pupil banding on neighbouring schools with results below the floor target in areas where places at existing schools which are oversubscribed are allocated on  (a) distance from the school and  (b) faith.

Jim Knight: Banding is not a means of selecting the most able: rather it is a method of ensuring that a school admits a fully comprehensive intake of pupils with a fair share of pupils of all ability bands. Selection by ability, in contrast, does result in the most able pupils being concentrated in certain schools. This is not a policy aim of this Government, neither in academies nor in general, and this is why we have legislated to prevent any new selection by ability in maintained schools, and why academy funding agreements prevent them from adopting selection by ability.
	We have not undertaken any specific research into the effects of banding, either in academies or maintained schools. However, research published this year by Sheffield Hallam university Secondary School Admissions, was positive about the effects of banding, finding that it can mitigate social segregation especially in densely populated areas' and that it is a powerful means of balancing intakes both by attainment and social characteristics.
	However, admission arrangements should always be developed with an eye on the local context: what may be fair and equitable in one area may not be so in another. In agreeing academy admission arrangements or considering changes to existing arrangements, the Secretary of State seeks to ensure that the arrangements support fair access in the local area.

Schools: Buildings

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what guidance his Department issues to local authorities on the selection of schools for rebuilding; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what role his Department has in regulating the selection by local authorities of schools to be included in rebuilding programmes; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities allocate resources for rebuilding to the schools most in need of rebuilding; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Prioritisation of investment in school buildings is decided at local level, where there is best knowledge of local needs and priorities. To support good local decision making in school investment, local authorities and schools are encouraged to operate high quality asset management processes with robust assessments of priorities, aligned with those of central Government. Asset management planning should be a transparent, consultative and rigorous process, based on a survey of the needs of all schools in the area and should address sufficiency, condition and suitability needs. We give schools and authorities, three year certainty of capital funding so that they can plan ahead. All schools should know where their needs, including for rebuilding, are prioritised, and why.
	Where local authorities participate in major rebuilding programmes including Building Schools for the Future and the Primary Capital Programme, they must prepare robust 'Strategies for Change' to demonstrate that their investment plans support a strong strategic delivery of education in their areas. Partnerships for Schools, our delivery agency for Building Schools for the Future, and the Department must be satisfied with these strategies before local authorities can proceed in the programmes. Guidance on preparing these strategies is available through
	www.teachernet.gov.uk/schoolscapital
	following the BSF and Primary Capital Programme links.

Schools: St. George's Day

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether steps were taken to encourage schools to celebrate St. George's Day in 2008 with extra-curricular activities.

Jim Knight: We value the importance of providing opportunities for young people, through the curriculum, to consider for themselves what it means to live in the UK today.
	To ensure that young people have the opportunity to explore their own identity and issues around diversity, a recent review of the secondary curriculum added a new strand to the Citizenship programme of study called Identity and Diversity: living together in the UK. Pupils are encouraged to consider these important concepts with their peers and teachers and in doing so develop their understanding of what it means to be a UK citizen.
	We are also supporting the Who Do We Think We Are? week in June 2008, encouraging teachers to explore identity, diversity and citizenship with their pupils, in their schools, local communities and nationally.
	The Department did not take any discrete steps to encourage schools to celebrate St. George's day in 2008.

Schools: Standards

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools rated as  (a) outstanding and  (b) good by Ofsted since 2003 have subsequently been placed in special measures; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: This is a matter for Ofsted. HMCI Christine Gilbert has responded directly to the hon. Member and a copy of her letter has been placed in the Library of the House.
	 Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 28 May 2008:
	PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NUMBER 207866: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many schools rated as (a) outstanding and (b) good by Ofsted since 2003 have subsequently been placed in special measures; and if he will make a statement.
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for a response.
	Our records are such that it is clearest to provide you with data from the start of the academic year 2002/03 rather than the calendar year. I trust this is acceptable.
	As of 23 May 2008, 75 schools judged good or better at inspection since September 2002 have subsequently been placed in special measures. Table A shows which of the 75 schools were judged good, very good or excellent at an inspection preceding the inspection which placed them in special measures, and the year of both inspections.
	An explanation of these figures is important. Between September 2002 and July 2005, schools were inspected under the previous inspection framework (commonly known as Section 10), which used a seven-point scale ranging from excellent to very poor. Since September 2005, schools have been inspected under the current inspection framework (commonly known as Section 5), which uses a four-point scale ranging from outstanding to inadequate.
	Not all schools inspected under the previous inspection framework have yet been inspected under the current inspection framework, including some that were previously judged good or better. Very few (19) schools judged good or outstanding after September 2005 have been re-inspected since that point. None of these 19 schools has been placed into special measures.
	
		
			  Table A: Number of schools judged good or better at inspection since September 2002, and subsequently placed in special measures (as of 23 May 2008) 
			Year placed in special measures  
			  Year inspected and judged good or better  Judgment  2006/07  2007/08  Total 
			 2002/03 Good 12 19 31 
			  Very good 2 5 7 
			  Excellent 0 0 0 
			  Total 14 24 38 
			  
			 2003/04 Good 0 22 22 
			  Very good 0 3 3 
			  Excellent 0 0 0 
			  Total 0 0 25 
			  
			 2004/05 Good 0 11 11 
			  Very good 0 1 1 
			  Excellent 0 0 0 
			  Total 0 12 12 
		
	
	A copy of this reply has been sent to Jim Knight MP, Minister of State for Schools and Learners, and will be placed in the library of both Houses.

Students: Finance

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills on the likely impact of the new funding rules for students studying for a qualification that is lower or equivalent to one they already hold, with particular reference to the impact on qualified teachers wishing to take the new Masters in Teaching and Learning.

Jim Knight: The Masters and Teaching and Learning (MTL) will be rolled out to around 2,400 newly qualified teachers starting from September 2009, with a further cohort starting in September 2010: these teachers will be fully funded through the Training and Development Agency for Schools. My Department has discussed with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills their decision that from 2008-09 the majority of new students will not be publicly funded to study for a qualification that is equal to or lower than a qualification they already hold, and are satisfied that it will have no impact on the first two cohorts of TDA funded students taking up the MTL.

Teachers: Qualifications

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of qualified teachers working in  (a) maintained primary schools and  (b) maintained secondary schools have a postgraduate degree in (i) the main subject that they teach and (ii) another subject.

Jim Knight: The information requested is not collected centrally.